(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 21 - The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) on
Thursday handed down a record 62 bans to players and staff from
two local-rival northern Italian teams over a brawl that broke
out near the end of last Friday's friendly between the sides.
The Western-style free-for-all started after a Rovigo player
suffered a dangerous tackle and responded by punching in the
face a Padova player.
Then all the other players and staff pitched in.
Current Serie A champs Rovigo and Padova, another multiple
scudetto winner, are based in the northeastern Veneto region and
are fierce local rivals.
photo: a 2012 snap of Rovigo players (ANSA).
Rugby: Record 62 banned after Padova-Rovigo scrap
Brawl breaks out near end of friendly match
