Laporte baffled by clearing of Italian prop

FRANCE coach Bernard Laporte admitted yesterday that he was puzzled by the clearing of Italy prop Salvatore Perugini of a dangerous tackle on Christophe Dominici during last weekend’s Six Nations match.

A three-man disciplinary committee meeting in London on Wednesday cleared Perugini of a high tackle on Dominici in Saturday’s game in Rome which left the French player hospitalised with concussion.

Perugini allegedly drove into the French winger with a swinging arm. Dominici was stretchered off in a neck brace. But the citing was not upheld and the player was given the all clear to continue playing.

“It doesn’t seem logical. It’s not a gesture which should be seen on a rugby pitch,” said Laporte.

“I’m a bit surprised like many people. It’s really amazing that there was no sanction.”

French manager Jo Maso said he was outraged Perugini escaped censure.

“Just tell me how the Italian’s move was not voluntary,” Maso told sports daily L’Equipe yesterday.

“The committee has lacked professionalism.”

Dominici was unconscious for two and a half minutes after being tackled around the neck at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday and is expected to be sidelined for three weeks, thus missing Stade Francais’ Heineken Cup quarter-final against Newcastle. France won the game 56-13.

Ireland lock Paul O’Connell was banned for two weeks in the same disciplinary hearing after punching Wales lock Robert Sidoli.

Earlier in the tournament France centre Benoit Baby was banned for four weeks for head-butting Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll during France’s 26-19 win at Lansdowne Road.

“It is pathetic. When Baby was sanctioned, I told him it was normal and that it was a good lesson,” Maso added.

Max Guazzini, president at Stade Francais, said he wanted the French Rugby Federation to pursue the matter.

He added: “Neither the player nor the Italian federation has apologised to Christophe. They did not even try to find out how he was.”