England rugby star Denny Solomona banned after directing homophobic abuse at Jamie Shillcock
The Sale Sharks winger was found guilty at a disciplinary hearing on Thursday (April 5).
By Will Stroude
England rugby star Denny Solomona has been banned from the game for four weeks after directing homophobic abuse at Worcester winger Jamie Shillcock.
Sale Sharks winger Solomona was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union or the game after being accused of twice directing an anti-gay slur at 20-year-old Shillcock during Sale’s Aviva Premiership win over Worcester Warriors last month.
Solomona contested the charge but was found guilty at a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing on Thursday (April 5), who reduced an initial six-week suspension to four weeks due to “mitigating features”.
Sale Sharks winger Denny Solomona made the abusive remarks during a rugby union match last month.
Panel chair Samantha Hillas said: “The panel found that the player used language that was verbally abusive on more than one occasion in quick succession.
“The comments were offensive and have no place on the rugby field. However, the panel accepted that they were said in the heat of the moment rather than premeditated.
“For these reasons, the panel deemed it was a low end entry point which carries a six-week suspension as a starting point.
Worcester Warriors winger Jamie Shillcock reported the abuse to referee Andrew Jackson during the match.
“The player did not accept the charge but all other mitigating features were present. The panel therefore reduced the sanction to four weeks.”
Solomona’s ban will last until May 8, meaning the 24-year-old will not play another match this season unless Sale reach the Premiership play-offs.