Rugby star Bruno Andres Doglioli banned for three years after flooring female referee Maria Beatrice Benvenuti with crunching tackle

A RUGBY star has been banned for three years after flooring a female referee with a fierce tackle - when no opponent was near them.

Argentinian veteran Bruno Andres Doglioli was yellow-carded for surging at Maria Beatrice Benvenuti in an Italian Serie A clash.

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Benvenuti, 23,  was able to continue and is now recovering from whiplash injuries.

Doglioli, 34, was immediately suspended by his club Rugby Vicenza and then given one of the longest bans the Italian Rugby Federation has ever dished out.

IRF official Italian Rugby Federation Marco Cordelli said: "The player has been banned for three years from all forms of federal activities.

"The Italian Rugby Federation wishes to reiterate that, in imposing the highest fine in the last two decades, a zero-tolerance principle has been applied.

"The sanctions reiterates the firm position of the FIR against the abuse, verbally or physically, of match officials."

Benvenuti was facing the other way when Doglioli tackled her so his action would have been deemed reckless even if it had been on a player - because his arms were not closed.

His club responded after the match against Valsugana by saying: "The Rangers Rugby Vicenza clubs suspend the player from any kind of activity and condemns firmly the act, contrary to the values of society and of the sport."

Benvenuti, a regular ref in Serie A, also officiated in the 2014 Women's World Cup and the Olympic Sevens.