RFU’S VERDICT ON BILLY VUNIPOLA’S MAJORCA ARREST FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have concluded their investigation into Saracens and England number eight Billy Vunipola’s arrest in Majorca.
Vunipola was tasered twice and arrested following an alleged violent incident in the early hours of April 27.
RFU’s verdict
The back-rower issued a public apology after being fined 240 euros (£205) by an express trial for resisting the law and while he avoided disciplinary action from Saracens, the RFU have issued a formal warning.
“The RFU has reviewed the information Saracens provided following its investigation into the incident involving Billy Vunipola in Mallorca on 27 April, which resulted in the club issuing him with a formal warning,” an RFU statement read.
“We have also considered the apologies Billy has provided, his clear contrition and the circumstances around the incident and have concluded the most appropriate course of action is to issue a formal warning under RFU Regulation 19.6.13. This warning will sit on his record for five years and may be relied upon in future disciplinary proceedings.
WATCH: Footage emerges of Billy Vunipola being tasered in Majorca nightclub
“It has been made clear to Billy that as a senior and respected player, such actions risk bringing the game as a whole into disrepute. In particular, such actions clearly go against the core values of rugby which collectively the sport works hard to promote.”
Vunipola has been sanctioned for RFU Regulation 19.6.13, which states: “The RFU Head of Discipline, has the power to issue a formal written warning to any person, Player or Club for any alleged Misconduct or breach of World Rugby or RFU Rules or Regulations.
“Before doing so however the person, Player or Club should be given the opportunity of making representations to the allegation(s). Any warning given will be retained on the disciplinary record of the person, Player or Club for a period of five years (or such other time as may be specified in the warning) and may be relied upon in future disciplinary proceedings as follows.”
A problem knowing when to stop
Following the incident, Vunipola said that he has a problem “knowing when to stop” as he explained the circumstances behind his drunken arrest in Majorca.
“My issue is just not knowing when to stop and that’s probably why I stopped drinking for so long,” Vunipola told the Daily Mail.
“I’ve never really been a casual drinker. If I drink, I get to a place where I probably forget what I did.
“That’s the reason why I had stopped and the reason why I had a drink last weekend was because it was my last ever trip with the boys and I wanted to really enjoy it. But obviously I went too far.”
READ MORE: Emotional Billy Vunipola admits that Majorca arrest due to ‘not knowing when to stop’
2024-05-09T15:09:03Z dg43tfdfdgfd