While Irish fans were saying that Sean O’Brien’s ban could have been worse, some members of the rugby community were saying it should have been worse.
The verdict is in, and the Leinster man has received a one-week ban after being caught by television cameras punching French second row Pascal Pape in the stomach during Ireland’s 24-9 victory in Cardiff.
O’Brien was originally banned for two weeks, which would have ruled him out of any semi-final, but his otherwise clean disciplinary record means he will just be unable to tog out for Ireland against Argentina on Sunday.
Some members of the international rugby community have been critical of the punishment. Many claim that Ireland got off lightly because of their Tier 1 status, citing the 5-week ban of Samoa player Alessana Tuilagi for “striking with a knee” as an example of lower ranking teams being treated unfairly by World Rugby.
Deliberate punch. 1 week. Deliberate knee. 0 weeks. Deliberate running. 5 weeks. @WorldRugby you absolute fucking joke.
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) October 13, 2015
Sean O'Brien one week ban is a disgrace it was a cowards punch. Alesana Tuilagi got banned for nothing. And people think FIFA are bent!
— Neil Fissler (@neilfissler) October 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/gallagherbren/status/654025336368332801?lang=en
This is the body shot for which Sean O'Brien was given a one-week ban. Tier one: the diplomatic immunity of sport https://t.co/CCti1ocpMz
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) October 13, 2015
O'Brien has got away with one, there. Suggest that Ireland do not appeal.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) October 13, 2015
O'Brien ban is ludicrously lenient.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) October 13, 2015
@balders2 @gallagherbren @stephenjones9 it beggars belief and the inconsistency is crass locked in lawyers office for hours, why? #Muppets
— andrew sheridan (@radio_sheri) October 13, 2015
Sepp Blatter allegedly refuses invitation to serve on RWC Disciplinary Committee – says he fears it could sully his reputation #5Weeks
— Phil Steele (@philsteele1) October 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/SteveJJRiley/status/654027755521208320?lang=en
