-Credit:NewsTubeZR
An Argentinian player is responsible for one of the most shocking incidents to ever take place on a rugby field.
Taking place in an Italian league between Vicenza and Valsugana, referee Maria Beatrice Benvenuti was completely unaware as Bruno Andres Doglioli flattened her from behind with a brutal act of thuggery.
The 23-year-old referee brandished a yellow card for the incident, but was unaware of his intentions at the time. She managed to complete her job for the day but was taken to hospital, where she was diagnosed with whiplash.
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Upon viewing replays, you are able to see that the intentions of the player are clear, with reports suggesting he was frustrated with how she was officiating the match.
Doglioli was initially given a three-year ban from all competitive sport by the Italian Rugby Federation (IRF), which is the most severe in its history. His ban was later upgraded to a lifetime punishment.
Speaking about the three-year ban, the IRF stated the following: “The Italian Rugby Federation would like to reiterate that this sanction — the heaviest in the last 20 years — underlines that when it comes to infringing the rules of the game and, above all, the fundamental values of our sport, we will show zero tolerance.”
Vicenza, Doglioli’s club, said that they would not be appealing the ban and hoped the punishment would set an example.
Benvenuti was just 23-years-old at the time, and despite this dark time nine years ago, she has gone on to forge a fine career as a rugby official.
The same year this incident occurred, she represented Italy at the Rio Olympics. She has been an official in three Women’s Rugby World Cups (2014 ,2017 and 2021) along with the Women’s Six Nations.
Alongside her commitments as an official, Benvenuti is a recruiter for a Norwegian workforce solutions firm, and has previously done work as a motivational speaker and as a sports columnist.