Armitage to face charge of pushing doping officer

ENGLAND international Delon Armitage has been charged by the Rugby Football Union after he allegedly pushed a doping control officer.

It is also alleged he used threatening and/or abusive and obscene language towards the officer from UK Anti-Doping during a routine test immediately after London Irish’s Aviva Premiership game against Bath on New Year’s Day.

London Irish full-back Armitage, who returned a negative test, will face an RFU disciplinary hearing in London today.

He has been charged with “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and/or the game, contrary to rule 5.12 of the rules of the RFU.”

Armitage, 27, has won 19 England caps and is a member of Martin Johnson’s elite player squad. He made his Test debut in 2008, and featured three times off the replacements’ bench during England’s autumn Test series this season.

Armitage will face a disciplinary panel comprising RFU disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett, Peter Budge and Robert Horner.

If the charge is proved against Armitage, he could face a range of sanctions, including a fine or period of suspension.

In a statement, the RFU said: “Delon Armitage of London Irish has been summoned to appear at an RFU disciplinary hearing charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and/or the Game contrary to Rule 5.12 of the Rules of the Rugby Football Union 2010-11.

“Armitage is alleged to have pushed and used threatening and/or abusive and obscene language towards a doping control officer from UK Anti-Doping during a routine test immediately after the Aviva Premiership game against Bath Rugby at the Madejski Stadium on January 1, 2011. The test was negative.”

Meanwhile, London Irish have announced the departure of star centre Seilala Mapusua.

The Samoan international will join Japanese side Kubota Spears this summer, ending his five-year stint at Irish when the current campaign finishes.

Mapusua, 30, has proved to be among the most astute overseas signings in Premiership history since linking up with Irish from Otago Highlanders in 2006.

Irish head coach Toby Booth hailed Mapusua’s contribution at the club, a time when he established himself among the outstanding backs in European rugby.

Booth said: “He has been a tremendous, committed servant to our club, an outstanding professional and an inspiration for any player on the field.”