Rugby star facing ban after being accused of grabbing opponent's genitals

Rugby star facing ban after being accused of grabbing opponent's genitals

Ireland and British and Irish Lions tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has been accused of grabbing the genitals of Munster back-rower Gavin Coombes during Leinster's 24-18 United Rugby Championship victory at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening. Citing commissioner Peter Ferguson charged Furlong under law 9.27, which prohibits conduct contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship, specifically the grabbing, twisting or squeezing of genitals. Should the Leinster prop be found guilty, he faces a suspension ranging from a minimum of 12 weeks to a maximum of four years. Furlong will face a ban that would rule him out of Ireland's Nations Championship fixtures next month if he is found guilty. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say No date for his disciplinary hearing has been set yet. The allegation arose following a ruck in the 37th minute of Saturday's encounter, with Coombes raising the complaint during the match. Referee Andrew Brace referred the matter to television match official Colin Stanley for review, but the available broadcast angles failed to produce definitive images supporting the claim. However, Munster later supplied Ferguson with clear footage of the alleged incident, prompting the citing commissioner to take formal action against Furlong, according to the Irish Independent. LATEST SPORTS NEWS Harry Kane parties with wife Katie in nightclub as England captain celebrates Ballon d'Or win Harry Kane should leave footballing giants haunted by regret after Ballon d'Or triumph Inside a chaotic Ballon d'Or as photographer clashes with security and police battle fans Munster head coach Clayton McMillan expressed full confidence in his player's account. He said: "It's one of those things that we leave in the hands of the powers that be. "All I know is that I back our players 100 per cent that if they make an allegation like that, they wouldn't do it lightly, and that's not the sort of person Gavin is, so we'll see where that goes." Leinster head coach Leo