Rugby Union: RFU clears Ubogu of abusing referee

VICTOR UBOGU, sent off for alleged dissent and abuse of the referee Alun Ware during an Anglo-Welsh "friendly" in Cardiff last month, was last night deemed to have been punished sufficiently for the incident, writes David Llewellyn.

It was the first sending-off in Ubogu's career but although he will have the blemish of a red card against his name, the Rugby Football Union last night cleared the Bath and former England prop of the serious charge of abuse of an official, which carries a 120-day ban.

Ware at first showed Ubogu a yellow card after a Cardiff try in the Welsh club's 24-3 victory. Then, on hearing an abusive remark, the unsanctioned official sent Ubogu off. Bath claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.

The RFU also announced that Saracens' Australian flanker Troy Coker has been banned for four weeks for punching the Newcastle prop Ian Peel in a Premiership game last month.