The axe has fallen. The FFR‘s federal appeal commission has decided to take a tougher line on unruly behaviour and violence on the pitch. In Marcoussis’ sights: Ronan O’Gara and Janick Tarrit, whose initial sanctions, judged too lenient, have been revised upwards.

The Stade Rochelais manager, initially suspended for two weeks for “lack of respect towards the authority of a match official” during the meeting with Pau, sees his punishment doubled. The Irishman ends up with a four-week suspension and a fine of 3,000 euros.

On the playing side, the Racing 92 hooker Janick Tarrit is paying dearly for his headbutt on Toulouse’s Efrain Elias. Already suspended for five weeks at first instance, he is handed three extra weeks, taking the total to eight matches in cold storage. With this firm statement, the FFR reaffirm their determination to protect referees and to punish acts of brutality harshly, even if that means overruling the League’s initial decisions.