Rugby player Doglioli banned for tackling female referee
Maria Beatrice Benvenuti reportedly suffered whiplash after she was knocked to the turf by Bruno Doglioli.
Vicenza player Bruno Doglioli was on Thursday banned from rugby for three years for a horrific tackle on a female referee.
The Argentine was suspended by his club after astonishingly charging at Maria Beatrice Benvenuti and knocking the official to the turf during a Serie A match against Valsugana last Sunday.
Benvenuti did not see Doglioli coming as she faced the play and he ran up behind her before launching into a brutal tackle on the referee, who reportedly suffered whiplash.
The Italian Rugby Federation hit Doglioli with a suspension which is the biggest imposed in the last 20 years, having only been shown a yellow card for the assault during the game.
Benvenuti officiated in the women's sevens tournament at the Rio Olympics this year and at the 2014 Women's World Cup.