Azam hearing: Case dismissed
Charges of eye gouging brought against Olivier Azam were last night dismissed by an RFU disciplinary panel.
The panel, chaired by Christopher Quinlan, came to the decision on the grounds that the charge was officially submitted too late.
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Gloucester Rugby's Olivier Azam
Azam stood accused of making contact with the eye or eye area of Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts in the EDF Energy Cup final at Twickenham on April 18.
If found guilty, he faced a ban of up to six months.
The French hooker was also at the centre of controversy in the home Heineken Cup group game between the two sides, when he appeared to dive after he was butted by Cardiff winger Tom James, who was sent off as a result of the incident.
Comments
by Graham Dunkley, sport - Views from the net
Thursday, April 30 2009, 8:41AM
“Dean Ryan has been the most successful DOC the club has had in terms of the number of wins over his years in office, more than any other Guiness Premiership Club, albeit without silverware. The young players that have come through this period, those that are leaving, have reached their 'plateau' and in my opinion will not improve upon technique and skill, no matter where they go.
Personally, I would rather see a continued consistency of wins in The Premiership that the club has sustained over the last 5 years than winning the odd trophy, although it would be the 'icing upon the cake' if we did win such a trophy, occasionally. Consistency of wins in The Premiership will bring supporters through the turnstiles not the odd win in a trophy tournament which involves three or four games. I am pleased that Ryan has the full support of the players and ostensibly that of Walkinshaw.
GD / Glos.
Please do not use my full name. Many thanks”