Sale Sharks second row Jonny Hill has been hit with a six-week ban for his altercation with a Bath supporter after an independent Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel found grounds for “substantial mitigation”.
Following the conclusion of Sale’s Premiership semi-final defeat to Bath in June, Hill was seen engaging in a scuffle with a home supporter.
Hill was injured at the time and was sat alongside the Sale coaches with the supporter complaining of broken sunglasses and reporting the incident to the Avon and Somerset Police.
The RFU could only launch its own investigation once the police inquiries had been concluded. Hill accepted the charge of breaching RFU Rule 5.12 – for conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and/or Union in circumstances – in his altercation with the supporter.
This can carry one of the highest sanctions in the RFU’s disciplinary code. However, the panel chaired by Philip Evans KC reduced the sanction from 20 weeks to 10 – with four suspended – meaning Hill, who is fit again following a long-term knee injury, will be available to play again for Sale Sharks in their Champions Cup match against Glasgow Warriors on December 7.
In the panel’s conclusion, Evans wrote: “The panel concluded the appropriate starting point was a 20-week suspension from playing.
Sale frustrated by glacial pace of police procedure
“They also found the circumstances of this case to be exceptional and as a consequence, and because of the substantial mitigation available to Jonny Hill, that starting point was reduced to 10 weeks, four of which will be suspended until the conclusion of the 25/26 season.
“In addition he is required to give a presentation to young players at the club which is to be recorded and provided to the RFU. He will be available to play for Sale on the 7 December 2024.”
Sale are known to have been frustrated by the length of time it took for the police to conclude its own inquiries. Speaking last month, director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: “It’s still with the authorities at the moment, and we have to wait for whatever judgement passes down from them. The guy who is supposed to be dealing with it is on annual leave.
“I have to take deep breaths and accept that it’s out of my control and out of Jonny’s at this point in time. It’s not like we’re not chasing it up.
“We have got barristers on the case and have had since the start of this. It’s just a long process that is not conducive to professional sport.”
Sale have now confirmed they will not appeal the RFU’s disciplinary action. A club statement said: “Both the club and player accept the ruling made by the RFU disciplinary panel and we now look forward to getting Jonny back on the pitch in a Sale Sharks shirt as soon as possible.”
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