France’s Feleu and Berthoumieu Suspended Ahead of World Cup Semifinal

In a significant setback for the French women’s rugby team, captain Manaé Feleu and flanker Axelle Berthoumieu have been suspended, ruling them out of the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinal against England. The decision followed unsuccessful appeals against their suspensions announced on Tuesday.

Details of the Suspensions

The suspensions stem from incidents during France’s quarterfinal victory over Ireland, where Berthoumieu received a nine-match ban for biting an opponent, and Feleu was handed a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle. Both players played pivotal roles in their team’s 18-13 win.

• Axelle Berthoumieu: Originally faced a 12-week suspension for biting the arm of Ireland’s Aoife Wafer but had it reduced to nine weeks due to her clean disciplinary history, expression of remorse, and public apology.
• Manaé Feleu: Ban upheld with no reductions; she has demonstrated notable performance in her second World Cup.

Both players will miss not only the semifinal set for Saturday in Bristol but the rest of the tournament as well.

Incident Background

The biting incident involving Berthoumieu was captured on video, raising questions about the timing of disciplinary actions. Despite clear evidence of the infraction, she was allowed to continue playing during the match. The disciplinary committee observed that her actions seemed intentional as evidence showed she nudged Wafer’s arm before biting.

Official Commentary

Yvonne Nolan, the competition director for the World Cup, addressed the challenges officials face in managing such incidents during games. She noted:

“These types of incidents are notoriously difficult to deal with in game. I would caution that these incidents are really rare… They almost always require additional information after the game.”

Nolan explained that thorough investigations typically involve analyzing video footage, player statements, and sometimes even dental evidence to ascertain the severity and intent behind actions such as biting.

Looking Ahead

As France prepares for the semifinal without two of their key players, the team’s depth and strategy will be tested. The absence of Feleu and Berthoumieu marks a significant challenge as they aim to continue their pursuit of the World Cup title amidst difficult circumstances.