Berthoumieu: Sanction reduced for bite at Women’s Rugby World Cup

France player Axelle Berthoumieu has had her suspension reduced for biting a rival in the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against Ireland. Initially, the sanction was twelve matches, but after an appeal, it has been reduced to nine. Berthoumieu admitted to biting Aoife Wafer during the 18-13 victory in the match held at Sandy Park on Sunday. The play was sanctioned with a red card, and the player appeared before an independent committee on Monday to review the foul. The independent disciplinary committee determined on Tuesday that the initial suspension was too extensive due to a procedural error, resulting in the reduction of three matches.

Berthoumieu will not be able to participate in the remainder of the World Cup, missing the semi-final on Saturday against England and the final or the third-place match the following weekend. Also, her teammate in France, Manae Feleu, was also ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle.