RFU official handed ban

Former captain punished for actions

Last updated: 18th December 2007

RFU official handed ban

Clash: Martin Scelzo

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RFU official Alan Black has been banned from attending Premiership matches and England home games for the rest of the season.

Black was handed the ban after attempting to strike Clermont prop Martin Scelzo with a match programme during Wasps' 25-24 Heineken Cup win on Saturday.

The former Wasps captain, who is employed by the RFU as a leisure rugby manager, intervened in a brawl in the second half of the Heineken Cup match.

He leant across a barrier separating supporters from the pitch and reacted to the fracas by rolling up his match programme and and appeared to strike Scelzo.

Misconduct

While accepting Black's actions represented serious misconduct, the RFU felt

there were mitigating circumstances and deemed a ban for the rest of the season sufficient.

Black, who admitted he was "ashamed" by his actions, will continue in his role with the RFU.

The ban runs up to and including 1st June 2008.