Sale and England’s Jonny Hill receives 10-week ban after physically abusing fan

The Sale and England forward Jonny Hill has received a 10-week ban – with four weeks suspended – after accepting a charge that he physically abused a spectator. Hill, who has not played for Sale this season, will be available from 7 December.

He appeared before an independent disciplinary panel for an alleged breach of the Rugby Football Union’s rule 5.12 – conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and/or Union – in that he was alleged to have physically abused a spectator after Sale’s Premiership playoff defeat at Bath on 1 June. The RFU said Hill accepted the charge.

The panel chair, Philip Evans KC, said: “The panel concluded the appropriate starting point was a 20-week suspension from playing. 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.”

A 28-year-old supporter had claimed he was grabbed around the throat and left with a cut above his eye after an altercation with Hill at the end of the playoff. Hill missed the game through injury and was watching from the stands for his side’s 31-23 defeat.

Hill suffered a season-ending ruptured patella tendon in January, but he is now understood to be fully fit again. Sale 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 as soon as possible.”

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