Pumas Fly-Half Tomás Albornoz Banned Four Matches for Misconduct Against England

Tomás Albornoz, the fly-half for Argentina's Pumas rugby team, has been suspended for four matches due to misconduct at the conclusion of the test match against England. The match, played on July 18 in Santiago del Estero, saw the visitors secure a 31-24 victory in the Nations Championship.

Following the game's end, the Tucumán-born player vehemently protested a call made by Australian referee Angus Gardner. Albornoz also threw the ball away in frustration after the referee, acting on the advice of TMO Brett Cronan, invalidated a try initially awarded to Bautista Delguy, which would have leveled the score for the Pumas. The referee also omitted a high tackle penalty against English defenders before signaling the match's end, leading to an outburst from the Argentine players.

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According to Rule 18, when determining the offense, the Disciplinary Committee observed that the Argentine fly-half accepted the accusations. Specifically, he accepted that his conduct, in its entirety, was intimidating.

World Rugby's Disciplinary Committee investigated the incident, noting that Albornoz accepted the accusations. The committee found his conduct, in its entirety, to be intimidating, citing Rule 18. The suspension applies to both international and club matches. The 28-year-old Albornoz will be unavailable for the Pumas until their European tour in November, which includes matches against Ireland, Italy, and France.

The committee opted for a four-match ban, considering Albornoz's prompt acceptance of the accusation, his commitment to apologize both publicly and privately in writing, and his clean disciplinary record. "Considering Albornoz's early acceptance of the accusation," the ruling stated, "his commitment to provide written public and private apologies, and his impeccable disciplinary record, the Committee accepted that a four-match suspension was appropriate."

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Considering Albornoz's early acceptance of the accusation, his commitment to provide written public and private apologies, and his impeccable disciplinary record, the Committee accepted that a four-match suspension was appropriate.