Jonny Hill, Sale Sharks, appeared before an independent disciplinary panel yesterday, Monday 4 November, for an alleged breach of RFU Rule 5.12 – conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and/or Union in circumstances where he is alleged to have physically abused a spectator in the aftermath of Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground on 1 June 2024. Jonny accepted the charge.
The panel was chaired by Philip Evans KC sitting with Oliver Clark and Leon Lloyd.
Panel Chair, Philip Evans KC said: “The panel concluded the appropriate starting point was a 20-week suspension from playing. They also found the circumstances of this case to be exceptional and as a consequence, and because of the substantial mitigation available to Jonny Hill, that starting point was reduced to 10 weeks, four of which will be suspended until the conclusion of the 25/26 season.
“In addition he is required to give a presentation to young players at the club which is to be recorded and provided to the RFU.
“He will be available to play for Sale on the 7th December 2024.”
Commenting on the judgement, Sale Sharks said:
“Both the club and player accept the ruling made by the RFU disciplinary panel and we now look forward to getting Jonny back on the pitch in a Sale Sharks shirt as soon as possible.”
All RFU disciplinary hearings are run in accordance with RFU Regulation 19 and are obliged to follow the World Rugby approved Sanction Table. A World Rugby video explaining the disciplinary process can be found here.
For a glossary of key disciplinary terms please click here.
For RFU Regulation 19 Appendix 2 please click here.
For background detail on panel members please click here.
Previous judgements can be found here.
