Rugby welfare group SLAM decision to rescind Owen Farrell’s red card during World Cup warm up clash… as ex-Wales star Alix Popham – who has been diagnosed with early onset dementia – labels it a ‘joke’ and claims player welfare is no longer the priority

A rugby player welfare organization has criticized the decision to overturn England captain Owen Farrell’s red card for a high tackle against Wales on Saturday.

The number 10 was sent off for a high shot at Welsh flanker Taine Basham at Twickenham and was expected to receive a lengthy ban, including missing the start of the World Cup, which starts next month.

However, in news that has shocked the rugby world, Farrell – who previously served three suspensions for dangerous tackling – is now free to play at the tournament following a disciplinary panel’s decision to withdraw his red card after the 31-year-old disputed it Tuesday during a video hearing.

Represented by Richard Smith KC, mitigation was found on the basis that Basham was pushed into Farrell’s path by hooker Jamie George.

And Progressive Rugby, a player welfare group made up of expert medics, elite players, academics and coaches keen to protect the long-term future of rugby, agreed with the panel’s resolution and criticized World Rugby’s position on the matter.

Farrell was sent off for a high tackle on Taine Basham during England’s 19-17 win over Wales

In a statement on TwitterProfessor John Fairclough, who is part of the group, said: “Today’s astonishing decision to reverse the red card Owen Farrell received for his tackle on Taine Basham is a mockery of World Rugby’s claim that the welfare of players is the first priority of the game. .

In addition, despite protests in the verdict to the contrary, it has critically undermined the newly introduced bunkering process prior to a global tournament and eroded confidence in the game’s legal process, which is designed to help protect those who play the game. ‘

Meanwhile, Alix Popham, a former Wales international who has been diagnosed with early dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after receiving blows to the head during his rugby career, also criticized the decision.

Popham is now working with Progressive Rugby and Head for Change to improve wellbeing in the game.

He said: ‘The decision is an outright joke and shows that player welfare is certainly not World Rugby’s number one priority. It’s shocking. I can’t get over it.’

Farrell’s teammate George Ford admitted on BBC 5 Live that Farrell had ‘got away’ with the decision, before quickly correcting himself.

When asked about the panel’s outcome, he said, “Yeah, it’s great for us to have our captain and leader back in and clearly come away with… obviously we’re going through the process and just Get on.”

Farrell was initially booked for his high hit on Basham before rugby’s new bunker rating system upgraded it to red following assessment of the incident.

He is now free to play straight away, with the bunker review decision overturned, meaning he can take part in this weekend’s World Cup warm-up against Ireland and the tournament in France.

After Farrell’s case was heard by a full Australian panel, the disciplinary statement read: “After reviewing all evidence, questioning the player in detail and hearing comments from the player’s representative, the committee concluded that the Foul Play Review Officer was wrong, on the balance of odds, to upgrade the yellow card issued to the player to a red card.

“The committee, in applying World Rugby’s main contact process, has determined that a limitation should be applied to the high degree of danger identified by the Foul Play Review Officer.

‘The committee found that a late change in dynamics due to No. 2 England’s interaction in the contact area caused a sudden and significant change in direction of the ball carrier.

Former Wales star Alix Popham (pictured in 2007) labeled the decision a ‘joke’ and ‘shocking’

Farrell’s teammate George Ford admitted to getting away with one, before correcting himself

“In the opinion of the committee, this mitigation was sufficient to bring the player’s offense below the red card threshold.”

The result is a major boost to England’s World Cup plans after a stuttering start to the Steve Borthwick era.

The statement on Farrell also defended the role of the disciplinary process.

It read: ‘The Committee believes it is important to establish that no criticism is being made of the Foul Play Review Officer and would not be justified. Unlike the Foul Play Review Officer, the Committee had the luxury of time to privately deliberate and consider the incident and the proper application of the Principal Contact Process.

“The committee believes this is in contrast to the Foul Play Review Officer, who had to make his decision within minutes without the benefit of all additional material, including hearing the player and his legal representative.