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Rugby player given 3-year ban for shocking no-arms hit on female ref

Italian Rugby Federation hand down heaviest punishment in 20 years to Bruno Doglioli.

I Cameron / YouTube

AN ARGENTINIAN RUGBY player has been banned for three years following this shocking off the ball hit on a female referee during a league game in Italy.

Bruno Doglioli thundered through the back of referee Maria Benvenuti during Vicenza’s game against Padua last Sunday.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Thursday that Doglioli would be banned for three years — the heaviest punishment handed down in the last 20 years.

Vicenza captain Doglioli was shown a yellow card at the time, and Benvenuti went on to finish refereeing the match.

The incident was a “deliberate act of violence,” the FIR said, and reiterated its zero tolerance approach towards the abuse of match officials.

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