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Saturday, October 24, 1998 Published at 11:52 GMT 12:52 UK


Sport: Rugby Union

Ubogu faces lengthy ban

Bath intend to fully support their player

Rebel referee Alun Ware is ready to provide Twickenham with a report that could see Bath prop Victor Ubogu hauled before the Rugby Football Union.

The Welsh official will submit a match report of this week's Anglo-Welsh friendly between Bath and Cardiff to RFU bosses on Monday.

Ware sent Ubogu off for alleged dissent, although a four-man disciplinary panel comprising the referee, Bath coach Andy Robinson and two senior Cardiff officials decided his dismissal was sufficient punishment.

That verdict did not satisfy the RFU, though, and they promised an investigation unless Ware provided them with a report.

The Independent Referees' Association, umbrella organisation for rebel Anglo-Welsh officials and of which Ware is a member, met Cardiff chief executive Gareth Davies on Friday.

"I am going to supply them RFU with that a report - it will be a match report, rather than a disciplinary report," Ware said.

"I had a meeting with several people yesterday (Friday) and I have been requested by English Rugby Partnership to do it."

England international Ubogu, never previously sent off, suddenly finds himself facing a possible 120-day ban, the recommended RFU suspension for verbally abusing a referee or touch judge.

Bath, who say they will await events before making any comment, intend vigorously defending Ubogu should he find himself summoned to English rugby headquarters.

Although neither the RFU nor Welsh Rugby Union will sanction cross-border friendlies involving Cardiff, Swansea and English Premiership clubs, Twickenham wasted no time making its presence felt.

"This disciplinary matter comes under the RFU's jurisdiction," said RFU chief executive Francis Baron.

"It is important that any English player is disciplined, irrespective of the nature of the match, if it is appropriate to do so following the completion of established procedures."



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