This Saturday late afternoon, Sale lost on the Bath lawn, in the Championship semi-final, 31-22. On the sidelines of the match, a spectator was allegedly attacked and hit by Jonny Hill, second row of Sale and international of the XV de la Rose.
The English club Sale announced this Saturday evening that it had opened an investigation against one of its players. On the sidelines of the semi-final between Bath and Sale (lost by the Sharks with a score of 31-23), a spectator claimed to have been hit by Sale’s England international Jonny Hill (29 years old; 20 caps).
The second row is currently injured and was not on the pitch at the Recreation Ground during his team’s defeat. He has, according to the facts reported by the British newspaper The Times, attacked the supporter after the final whistle. He was allegedly seen exchanging blows with the latter in an area reserved for the players’ friends and families.
“He broke my sunglasses and cut the top of my eye”
One of Sale’s coaches, Byron McGuigan, eventually managed to keep the two men away. “He broke my sunglasses and cut the top of my eye.” says the supporter, who wished to remain anonymous. Alex Sanderson, Sale’s director of rugby, said he was surprised: “Jonny is not the aggressive type and I will answer these questions when I know more. He is not an aggressive person.”
“Sale Sharks are aware of an incident involving a Bath Rugby player and fan at the final whistle of today’s semi-final. The club will work with Bath Rugby to complete an investigation into the incident and will provide no further comment at this time.” Sale said in a statement.
Jonny Hill was due to join the Top 14 and Lyon at the end of the season, but a knee injury against La Rochelle on January 24 caused his transfer to fail.
