It’s a record he could have done without. Sunday evening, in the last match of the 11th day of Top 14 between Pau and Stade Rochelais, La Rochelle flyhalf Antoine Hastoy saw red after only 34 seconds of play. That is the quickest red card in the history of the French rugby championship.
The player was found guilty of a very dangerous, unconscious gesture: a kung fu movement when a candle fell. “I see an unfair play because the yellow 10 stretches his leg towards the green,” referee Jérémy Rozier initially asks his assistants in the OB van. For me it is a high degree of danger because it directly affects the face. I’m on a red card, do we agree? “. An impression confirmed very quickly.
He then goes towards the player to inform him of the sanction: “you deliberately stretch your leg in the face, red card. »
A contested decision
A decision contested by La Rochelle manager Ronan O’Gara. Which caused a verbal skirmish with the referee. “I don’t want to hear you, my decision has been made,” thundered Jérémy Rozier. If I hear you again, I’ll send you to the stands. »
After complaining again about the refereeing in the second half Ronan O’Gara was sanctioned and watched the end of the match in the stands. With this red card, he will also go to the disciplinary committee.
In the end Pau confirmed its good start to the season and largely dominated (53-33) Stade Rochelais. An 11th day of Top 14 marked by the return to play of Antoine Dupont.
