The Ministry of Education’s suspension of three schools, Dharmaraja College, Trinity College and Carey College left many a rugby fan in shock. Over the past weekend several debates and concerns have been raised on social media forums regarding the bans enforced.
Let’s take a look at what actually took place in the three incidents in par with the judgment that was provided for them.
Trinity College – 6 month ban
The ban imposed on Trinity College came as a surprise to many. The release by the Ministry read that the Under 20 rugby team had been banned for a duration of six months starting from the 1st of July 2016 until the 31st of December 2016. The incident cited for the ban occurred during the second leg of the 72nd Bradby Shield encounter played on the 14th of May 2015 at Pallekelle.
What happened?
During the award ceremony at the conclusion of the 2nd leg a scuffle broke out between the players when the chief guest awarded the shield to the two captains; the ensuing brawl spilled over to the crowd gathered as well.
Concerns raised
· The Ministry of Education’s press release dated 30th June 2016, which indicated the decision to ban Trinity for 6 months, came 47 days after the incident occurred.
· Many raised concerns as to the fact that the incident that led to a ban being enforced on Trinity College came during the 2nd leg of the Bradby Shield, which is considered a non-league encounter.
· The standard practice in a situation such as this is that an initial inquiry is held with the participation of the guilty parties and then after consideration from the elected disciplinary committee, a final verdict is reached. In this case, according to Trinity College, the school was not aware of even the possibility of such a ban being imposed as an inquiry had not been held.
SLSRFA’s response
ThePapare.com contacted the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools’ Rugby Football Association, Denzil Darling, regarding this,
“Technically even though the match is not a league encounter, it comes under the schools because the match officials and the referees are all provided by the SLSRFA”
He went on to say, “The move to suspend Trinity is because it is the host school’s responsibility to ensure safety at the grounds and this was not done at the grounds on the day”
Dharmaraja College – 9 month ban
The encounter between St. Joseph’s College and Dharmaraja College was played at the Bogambora Stadium on the 18th of June 2016, during which a brawl broke out between the players in the final minutes of the game; the incident intensified when spectators surged onto the ground to join the melee.
What happened?
Referee Aruna Kumara sin-binned the Dharmaraja College Flanker citing dangerous play. As he made his way out of the field, he flung a punch at a Josephian player but missed. The referee immediately recalled the player in question as he walked back to the bench. At this point, the referee indicated to the Dharmaraja captain that he would issue a red card for this infringement.
The Dharmaraja flanker made it back onto the grounds and after a few words were exchanged by the players of both teams, he threw another punch at a Josephian player. This time he made contact and it turned into a full blown brawl as players from the bench stormed onto the field. The players were joined by some angry spectators and things were brought to a close only with the interference of the Police.
The incident was immediately followed up by a hearing conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Rugby Football Association and later tabled. The Dharmaraja College administration who immediately took measures suspended eight of their 1st XV players on disciplinary grounds while the school immediately relieved the services of their coach Radhika Hettiarachchi.
The verdict that was communicated by the Ministry of Education in an official release stated that Dharmaraja College will be banned for a duration 9-months and will thereafter be on a two-year probationary period.
SLSRFA’s response
The nine-month ban will be effective from the 1st of July 2016 until the 31st of March 2017. Speaking to ThePapare.com, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Association added that Dharmaraja College will most likely be relegated and will have to play in the ‘C’ division.
The suspension notice also states that the head coach of Dharmaraja College Radhika Hettiarachchi has been banned from coaching any school rugby team in the future.
In addition to this, the actions of the master-in-charge, assistant coach and physio were also penalized according to the video evidence available.
ThePapare.com contacted the Special Consultant Sports for the Ministry of Education Sunil Jayaweera pertaining to the matter,
“The Schools Rugby Football Association gave us the privilege of taking the decisions. During the decision-making process, we requested the presence of the national rugby body which is the SLRFU and the rugby referees society’s presence but neither of them turned up”
The Ministry of Education in its mandate holds responsibility over all the schools in the country and the judgement communicated by the ministry to the schools, will have to be adhered to.
However in the sport’s perspective where World Rugby comes into perspective, rugby in the country solely comes under the inspection of the official governing body; the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
Accordingly World Rugby Regulation 17 states the following with regard to the banned players from participating in any level of rugby under the local body including Mercantile or Club Rugby for the period as per the “Core Principles”. Therefore regulation 17.19 clearly states that the ban shall restrict the player from playing all forms of rugby at any level.
Further explaining on the banning of a player, the regulation 17.19.10 states that the sanctions applied will be within the World Rugby framework;
Decisions on sanctions and suspensions imposed on Players under World Rugby Regulation 17 shall: (a) be applied universally by Unions, Associations, Rugby Bodies and their constituent bodies such that the Player may not play the Game (or any form thereof) or be involved in any on-field Match day activities anywhere during the period of suspension;
The entire matter has many grey areas and the reprimanding verdict that was released dated 30th June 2016 does not seem to entirely answer the concerns and the issues.
However, it is hoped that all parties would take this verdict into consideration and the violence of school sport see an end immediately.
