McHugh’s attacker guilty of assault

PIETER Van ZYL, the spectator who attacked referee Dave McHugh during the Tri Nations match between South Africa and New Zealand last month, was found guilty of assault in a Durban magistrate’s court yesterday.

Sentencing was postponed to October 28 after court officials struggled to establish whether Potchefstroom businessman Van Zyl, 43, had previous criminal convictions. Van Zyl’s lawyer, Bertie Grobbelaar, told the court his client did not have a criminal record.

“We’re a little bit downhearted that it didn’t end today, but I’ll travel down 20 times if necessary just to see justice done,” Van Zyl said.

“The public support I have received was overwhelming. I didn’t expect it, and it was heartening.”

Van Zyl was initially charged with grievous bodily harm but his lawyers argued that the attack on McHugh was not strong enough to warrant the charge.

The charge was subsequently reduced to common assault, to which Van Zyl pleaded guilty. Grobbelaar told reporters he had concluded negotiations with the South African Rugby Football Union over the life ban from

attending rugby matches that Van Zyl received.

“We’re very happy with the outcome of today’s proceedings, and we’ve reached an agreement with SARFU,” Mr Grobbelaar said.

Van Zyl scaled the perimeter fence at the August 10 match in Durban and tackled McHugh as the Irish official set a scrum. McHugh suffered a dislocated shoulder in the incident.

Mr Grobbelaar told the court his client understood that his actions were unlawful before he committed them.

The only referee to take charge of two Heineken Cup finals, McHugh will start duties in his eighth season of European Cup action by taking charge of Leicester Tigers’ opening match in defence of their title, against Neath at The Gnoll on October 11.

“I have never refereed Neath, either home or away, and I am very much looking forward to going to The Gnoll. Like any match in the tournament it will be a huge challenge,” McHugh said.

McHugh will become Ireland’s most celebrated referee when he makes his 24th test appearance in the autumn

international match between France and Canada, eclipsing previous Irish record-holder Kevin Kelliher’s 23 test mark.

The ERC has also announced that Joel Dume of France will be in charge of Munster’s game against Gloucester at Kingsholm, while Nigel Whitehouse will control London Irish’s visit to Toulouse.