Adam Byrnes Appeal Decision
Big Adam Byrnes competing in the lineout against the Crusaders in a Super Rugby warm-up game. Photo by Getty Images.
A SANZAR Appeals Committee has revised the sanction handed down to Adam Byrnes of the Rebels by a SANZAR Judicial Hearing on 19 April 2012.
Byrnes instituted an appeal after he was found guilty of breaching the SANZAR Code of Conduct following comments made in the Daily Telegraph on 23 March 2012 and was officially cautioned, fined $5,000 and ordered to pay SANZAR Costs of $2,500.
The decision by the SANZAR Appeals Committee, chaired by Bill Wilson QC has ruled:
- The formal caution of Byrnes remains and he is required to pay SANZAR within seven days of the date of this decision, the costs of A$2,500 ordered to be paid by the Judicial Officer.
- The order for payment of a fine of A$5,000 is quashed.
In its decision the Appeals Committee stated that the decision to quash the fine was arrived at on the very unusual facts of this case, including it was the first of it’s kind, and should therefore not be seen as a precedent. Players wanting to complain about other players should do so through SANZAR channels rather than through the media. If they do speak to the media they place themselves at risk of facing a charge of breaching clause 8.3 (g) of the SANZAR Code of Conduct. If established such a charge will usually result in a substantial fine.
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