Rugby player hit with lengthy ban after horrific incident goes viral on social media

A rugby player in Wales has been slapped with a lengthy suspension after his appalling stamp on an opponent, which gained plenty of traction on social media. Ebbw Vale second-row Curtis Gregory has received an eight-match ban, according to WalesOnline, after an initial 15-game suspension for a shocking stamp against Llandovery was almost halved following an appeal. His suspension will end just before Christmas, allowing him to return for Ebbw Vale's derby clash against Pontypool on Boxing Day.

Gregory was shown a straight red card by referee Craig Evans for stamping on the leg of Llandovery captain Joe Powell during a Super Rygbi Cymru fixture last month.

With a ruck in place, Powell briefly held Gregory's leg, prompting him to stamp down on his rival's outstretched limb with considerable force.

Fortunately for the stricken player, he appeared to escape without any visible injury, though the incident provoked widespread outrage after going viral on social media.

It has now been reported that the Welsh Rugby Union initially imposed a 15-match ban on Gregory, subsequently reduced to eight games following an appeal.

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The appeal was considered by an independent panel as part of the standard due process.

It is further understood that Ebbw Vale took internal disciplinary measures against Gregory in the wake of the incident.

The WRU does not publicly disclose details regarding its disciplinary proceedings, in contrast to other governing bodies such as the Rugby Football Union, which publishes its rulings and sanctions openly.

Similar stamping offences in rugby have also resulted in bans of comparable length, which is likely to have formed the basis of the appeal.

Following the incident, video footage rapidly spread online and was viewed by millions across the globe, with major news outlets in South Africa and Australia running headlines on the story.

Online reaction has largely centred on the gravity of the offence, with many observers likely to feel that an eight-game ban does not go far enough. Some fans on social media had gone as far as calling for a lifetime suspension.

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