Azam has his say on Borthwick incident
GLOUCESTER hooker Olivier Azam has revealed ex-Kingsholm prop Phil Vickery provided a character statement ahead of his recent RFU Disciplinary Hearing.
The Frenchman was banned for 12 weeks on Tuesday for kicking out at England captain Steve Borthwick.
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The French Connection - exclusively in the Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo
In Azam's French Connection column exclusively in The Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo today he takes issue with the way the national press have reported the story.
But he also felt moved to thank Vickery, and Gloucester director of rugby operations Rob Burgess, for their role in helping him.
He writes: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody that has loyally supported me through this tough time in my career, especially Rob Burgess and Phil Vickery.
"Rob did a fantastic job speaking on my behalf and Phil was good enough to provide a character statement. I'm grateful to them both."
Gloucester released a statement in response to the newspaper headlines which greeted the panel's decision.
It read: "In an effort to bring pers- pective to headlines related to the decision by the RFU to ban Olivier Azam, Gloucester Rugby would like to highlight the following key findings.
● Azam's left foot was being 'grabbed and twisted' by an opponent.
● Azam deliberately kicked out 'in an effort to free himself'.
● Azam was not 'aiming for Steve Borthwick's head or face'.
● The contact between Azam's boot and Steve Borthwick's head was acknowledged to be accidental."
The club have until noon tomorrow to decide whether to appeal the length of the ban.
8 Comments
by Jeremiah, Bewdley, Worcs.
Friday, October 09 2009, 9:32AM
“So why plead guilty then Ninja? There's some inconsistancy here unless it was misguided attempt in the hope of leniancy. Whatever, to plead guilty to kicking a bloke in the head is bound to stir up bad press. Also bear in mind to do so in a court of law would result in a spell at H.Ms pleasure.”
by Ninja of love, Newnham-on-Severn
Friday, October 09 2009, 8:52AM
“Hi barry, perhaps Azam pleaded guilty to kicking out in an attempt to free his twisted leg but not to intentionally kicking the half-wit... Just a thought.”
by barry, cheltenham
Thursday, October 08 2009, 5:49PM
“although i agree in principle with what you chaps are saying consider one thing.......
olli pleded guilty!?!?!”
by big al, quedgeley
Thursday, October 08 2009, 1:15PM
“On the bright side at least we may win some lineouts in the next 3 months”
by HKC, Glos
Thursday, October 08 2009, 12:34PM
“Sorry, it should read "Oli has got the full ban based upon reputation" d##m these fat fingers!”
by HKC, Glos
Thursday, October 08 2009, 12:32PM
“Absolutely Phil, I've commented before that all bar Eustace's citing was as a result of a ref failing to deal with an initial foul play (Salvi constantly infringing; Stowers late tackle; Borthwick twisting Oli's leg).
Oli has got the full ban based upon representation. He deserved a ban, as accidental or not you can't kick a man's face, but 12 weeks is a joke.
Maybe it was too much to ask for the England captain to come out and state that he was fouling Oli so can understand his reaction...”
by Phil, Kingsholm
Thursday, October 08 2009, 12:16PM
“Totally agree Ninja.
From these "Key Findings"
Azam was being attacked/interferred with, and in the process of lawfully trying to protect/free himself he boots Borthwick.
As has been acknowledged it was an accident, how the hell do they arrive at 12 weeks!
I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, and the ref' wouldn't have been able to see this anyway, but I honestly believe if ref's nipped things in the bud with players who spoil the game and push rules too the limit, you would have alot less citings or "incidents", most are born out of the ref's inaction to discipline the original offender.”
by Ninja of love, Newnham-on-Severn
Thursday, October 08 2009, 9:09AM
“This just goes to show how short sighted and silly these citings and disciplinary measures are. Had it not been Borthwick, perhaps the most useless England captain of recent memory would the ban have been so draconian?”