England prop Joe Marler has escaped punishment on two fronts after his blow aimed at Wales’ Rob Evans and “gypsy boy” taunting of Samson Lee.
Marler was expected to be ruled out of the Grand Slam game against France on Saturday, on one or both fronts – but has been cleared by the Six Nations and is free to play.
The decision to take no action for the verbal remark is likely to provoke the greater outcry – particularly by those who claimed the context made it a racist slur.
Their reasoning appears to be that it was said in haste and that Marler said sorry.
Wales coach Warren Gatland had already been drawn into an apology for dismissing the insult as ‘banter’.
“Six Nations Rugby are aware of the seriousness of Marler’s comment and do not in anyway condone what was said,” read a statement.
“Six Nations Rugby have considered the reports in detail and noted the fact that Marler deeply regretted what he had said and had immediately and unprompted apologised to Lee at half time.
“They also noted that head coach of England, Eddie Jones, had reprimanded Marler and reminded him of his responsibilities as an international rugby player.
“Six Nations Rugby have accepted the explanation provided that the comment was one made in the heat of the moment.
“Having taken all the facts into account no further disciplinary action will be taken. Six Nations Rugby consider that this matter is now closed.”
Marler, who had already apologised for his comment, acknowledged that he had made a misguided remark.
He said in a statement: “I have accepted from the outset that I made the misguided remark to Samson. It was made in the heat of the moment. I apologised, unprompted, to Samson Lee at half time and this was accepted.
“As ever we shook hands and exchanged smiles at the end of the game. I have been warned very clearly by Eddie Jones how comments like this are unacceptable.
“I will certainly conduct myself differently in future. I do not condone racism in any form, at any time, deeply regret the incident and intend to reflect the behaviours expected of an England player going forward.
“Once again I apologise for the upset my inappropriate remark has caused”.
Marler has been warned by England coach Eddie Jones about his conduct.
“I do not condone racism in any form, at any time, deeply regret the incident and intend to reflect the behaviours expected of an England player going forward,” the 25-year-old said.
“Once again I apologise for the upset my inappropriate remark has caused.”
A disciplinary committee found that Marler did hit Evans early in the game on Saturday but decided not to sanction him.
“The disciplinary committee found that the offending would not have warranted a red card and so imposed no sanction,” it said in a statement.
Marler appeared before an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee in London on Wednesday, having been cited by an independent citing commissioner for allegedly striking an opponent in the match between England and Wales.
Law 10.4(a) Punching or striking states that “A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).”
The 25-year-old accepted that he had committed foul play. Accordingly, the disciplinary committee, chaired by Harry McKibbin (Ireland) along with Roddy Dunlop (Scotland) and David Martin (Ireland), having considered all of the evidence, including various video clips, and listened to representations by and on behalf of Marler, upheld the citing complaint.
However, the disciplinary committee found that the offence would not have warranted a red card and so imposed no sanction.
