The three French authorities published a press release this Monday explaining that they are firmly opposed to the implementation of the 20-minute red card proposed by World Rugby.
The 20-minute red card is no. This Monday in a press release, the French Rugby Federation (FFR), the National Rugby League (LNR) and the players’ union Provale joined forces to oppose “firmly in favor of the implementation of the 20-minute red card proposed by World Rugby”. As a reminder, the major world body wants to propose new rules, in particular to encourage the game.
This red card would therefore allow a player receiving a red card to be replaced by another player after 20 minutes. If we apply it to a concrete case, the three-quarter center of Perpignan Apisai Naqalevu, author of a “tackle” extremely dangerous on the French international of UBB Nicolas Depoortère (seriously injuring him), could have returned to the pitch. An aberration.
“Implementing this rule could encourage more aggressive play”
“The FFR, LNR and Provale strongly oppose the adoption of the 20-minute red card rule and call on World Rugby to rely on evidence before modifying such a crucial sanction, particularly regarding the impact on player safety”justify the three authorities of French rugby. “The testing of this rule change in four competitions for which the data collected remains insufficient cannot be considered as a convincing reason for improvement to consider global implementation”.
The 20-minute red card was tested during the Under-20 World Cup. Without convincing. The FFR, the LNR and Provale continue. “This rule would mark an unacceptable step backwards on the measures put in place for several years to reduce head impacts and encourage players to have greater technical mastery in contact. The implementation of this rule could encourage more aggressive play or create controversies linked to the tactical exploitation of the rule, also negatively impacting the image of rugby..
