Delon Armitage to appeal eight-week ban: England full back out vows to fight charge

Add to My Stories England international Delon Armitage is to appeal against his eight-week ban imposed by the Rugby Football Union.The London Irish full-back was last night suspended for "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game", ruling him out of action until March 17 and effectively the entire RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Trouble: Delon Armitage is a key name for EnglandArmitage was found guilty of pushingand using threatening and/or abusive and obscene language towards adoping control officer during a routine test immediately after Irish'sAviva Premiership defeat against Bath on January 1.But Armitage and his club Irish have now issued a strongly-wordedstatement, hoping the player can be given "a proper opportunity" toprepare his case.

Another blow: England coach Martin Johnson saw his Six Nations preparations further disruptedThe statement read: 'London Irish is disappointed with the outcome of yesterday's RFU disciplinary hearing, and Delon Armitage will be lodging an appeal against it.'Having been given just 48 hours' notice of the charges and the hearing, Delon hopes to be given a proper opportunity to prepare his case in order that the appeal panel may reach a decision which takes into account the circumstances of the incident.'Delon Armitage does not accept that the incident is analogous to abuse of a match official, and he believes that applying a tariff applicable to on-field offences, when this was an incident largely in the privacy of the dressing room, has resulted in the imposition of a disproportionate sanction.'Armitage, who has won 19 caps, is a member of Martin Johnson's England elite player squad.
He made three appearances as a replacement during the recent autumn Test series, and was expected to be part of England's match-day squad for the! ir Six N ations opener against Wales in Cardiff on February 4.As things stand, Armitage's ban means he will also be unavailable for the Six Nations appointments with Italy, France and Scotland, with his suspension expiring just two days before England face Ireland in Dublin.Armitage, 27, appeared before a three-man RFU panel chaired by the Union's disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett.And Blackett afterwards condemned the player's behaviour following the game at Irish's Madejski Stadium home ground, which Bath won 25-24 through an injury-time penalty.Blackett said: 'His behaviour was completely unacceptable.'It brought discredit on himself and his club and failed to uphold one of the core values of the game - respect.

On the plus side: Chris Ashton is on the comeback trail'Doping control officers should expectto carry out their important work without fear of abuse and be treatedwith respect at all times.'We took into account that it was not a violent push, but more of abrush past, and that was accepted by the doping control officer.'We took the offences as a whole, and, in line with the sanctions forabuse of match officials, we decided that a low end entry point of 12weeks was appropriate.'This was reduced to eight weeks on account of his remorse, his letterof apology to the doping control officer and his relatively goodrecord.'Armitage was ordered to pay 500 costs.

More...

  • Armitage ruled out of Six Nations after being banned for eight weeks
  • You dope! Armitage charged after allegedly shoving drugs control officer


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