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Ronald Wutimber awarded Heathens a penalty try to hand them victory over rivals Kobs.
Uganda Rugby Union has suspended referee Ronald Wutimber for the rest of the season.
Wutimber was in charge of the top of the table clash between Heathens and Kobs and erroneously awarded the hosts a last minute penalty try after Kobs players refused to retreat for a penalty to be taken.
A statement from URU read: "The referee of the match has been stood down for the rest of the league and as a remedial action been sent for a course to further improve his decision making and law application."
As Wutimber’s season ends, Kobs players, who interfered with play to stop the penalty from being taken will face sanctions of their own.
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10:17 - 04.04.2023
RUGBY Kobs want Heathens game replayed with competent referee in charge
It is not the first time Kobs are complaining about referees, and Luggya says they have engaged the Uganda Rugby Union about the same official in the past.
“Match footage has been forwarded to Citing Commissioner for further action. The persons involved in disrupting the game be investigated and sent to the appropriate committees for further action.”
The score of the game, however, will stand, albeit with no bonus point for the Heathens.
“The referee prior to award of the last penalty to Heathens had indicated last play with the score at 12 - 12 (Heathens having scored 2 tries while KOBs had scored 4 penalties.
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11:12 - 02.04.2023
RUGBY Kobs do not expect Heathens win to stand
Kobs chairman Stone Luggya took to social media to suggest the team does not expect Saturday’s result to stand.
"Heathens immediately indicated to kick for goal and thus was not trying to score a 3rd try that would have given them a winning bonus point. They were likely to convert the penalty and win the game. KOBs Rugby Club have filed an appeal for the match result to be set aside and have the match replayed.
“The decision of the Committee is one that should promote fairness. The Committee acknowledges that a change of the game score by the match Referee awarding a penalty try was not backed by any law or tournament regulation.
“The score had a material effect in granting Heathens an unfair advantage of a bonus point, arising out of an incorrect decision of the match Referee. It is recommended that the match score/result should stand as awarded by the referee (19-12), this so that we don’t interfere with the independence of the referee in managing a game.
“The Tournament Committee should invoke its power and remove the bonus points accrued as a result of the penalty try that was awarded to the Heathens.
"The Heathens had indicated that they were going to take the penalty as awarded and the penalty was in a position that was likely to be converted. Therefore, the Heathens were most likely going to win the game with 3 points. The result should stand at 19-12 to the Heathens. No bonus point awarded.
“In reaching this judgement, Uganda Rugby Union has leaned on World Rugby, Rugby Africa and an independent panel of knowledgeable rugby stalwarts to provide an opinion on a situation arising out of an unprecedented scenario.
“URU implores all stakeholders to continue to uphold the values of our sport. URU also recognizes that it has the responsibility to continue to build and uphold standards that stand up to the values of our sport and will continue to work with all stakeholders to this end."
Admitting that the referee made mistakes, revoking the Heathens bonus point and yet sticking to a final score of 19-12 will certainly leave tongues wagging.
The ruling would mean that Heathens drop from 59 points to 58, two ahead of second-placed Kobs.
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