Rugby League star banned for LIFE after knocking out referee in brutal one-punch attack and brawling with opponents
Saint Esteve's Hedi Ouedji given lifetime suspension after smacking official and brawling with Toulouse players
THE FRENCH Rugby League player who delivered a knockout punch to a referee has been banned for life.
Saint Esteve’s Hedi Ouedji produced the horrific action last month during a French Cup match against Toulouse.
He struck official Benjamin Casty to leave him lying motionless on the pitch.
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And Ouedji will now face the heftiest of penalties for his shocking attack after the French Federation handed him a lifetime suspension on Friday.
A spokesman for the governing body said: “The player not only undermined the physical integrity of a referee, Benjamin Casty, but also tainted the image of a sport that had not experienced such a reprehensible act.
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“FFR XIII is determined not to grant any forgiveness to players, leaders or supporters who do not respect the decisions of a referee, whose difficult role is measured every weekend.”
Ouedjdi could land himself in even more hot water with Casty bringing a civil complaint.
A number of the opposition players came running over to confront the out of control Ouedjdi following the assault, only for him to respond by swinging a number of punches at them.
He was eventually hauled to the ground before the match was called off.
St-Esteve president Christian Cozza, who announced his resignation after the clash, later said he did not want the player to feature in the match after he had been suspended earlier in the season.
He said: “This player had already been suspended four games earlier in the season and I did not want him to play.”
Casty was treated for injuries to his cheekbone after miraculously avoiding a broken jaw at a nearby hospital.