Vicenza Rangers' Italo-Argentine
captain Bruno Andres Doglioli was banned for life Thursday after
deliberately tackling woman referee Maria Beatrice Benvenuti
from behind, knocking her over, in a Serie A match against
Valsugana in the northern city of Padua on December 11.
An Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) appeals court extended a
previous three-year ban to a life one, upholding an appeal from
prosecutors.
The 34-year-old Doglioli engaged in "a deliberate
act of violence against Benvenuti", the FIR said in a statement.
Rugby Vicenza issued a statement saying it would not appeal
the ban and hoped that the punishment would set an example.
Rome native Benvenuti, 23, initially believed the collision
was accidental. She got up, saw the match through, then reported
to the emergency room with neck and back pain.
Footage of the horrific blow, which Doglioli inflicted out of
frustration, went viral.
Doglioli's team suspended him without pay.
Benvenuti became rugby's youngest international referee, and
represented Italy at the Rio Olympics.
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