McGeechan: Burger deserved red card

Ian McGeechan has voiced his displeasure over alleged eye-gouging by South Africa flanker Schalk Burger on British and Irish Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.

Burger was summoned to attend a disciplinary hearing in Pretoria today after being cited following the first-minute incident at Loftus Versfeld.

He could face a lengthy ban from the sport if the case is proved against him, having escaped during the game with only a yellow card from referee Christophe Berdos.

Burger’s team-mate Bakkies Botha, meanwhile, also faced disciplinary chiefs today following his citing for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones, who underwent surgery last night on a dislocated shoulder.

“I could never condone actions like that,” said Lions head coach McGeechan, of the Burger incident. “I would hate to see those again.

“It should automatically be a red card, as I understand it.”

McGeechan also hit back at comments from his Springboks counterpart Peter de Villiers.

He added: “I heard a quote (from de Villiers) that it might be part of the game. To me, that is never part of the game.

“I am very disappointed he (de Villiers) said that. I can’t see that ever being part of the game. It certainly wouldn’t be part of a game I want to be associated with.”

Morne Steyn’s injury-time penalty earned the Springboks a dramatic 28-25 victory in Pretoria to seal a series triumph for the world champions.