Montgomery's career in the balance
Wednesday, 14 May 2003 17:02South African full-back Percy Montgomery's career could be in ruins after he was sent off for pushing a touch judge in Newport's Welsh Premier League clash with Swansea last night.
The 29-year-old Springbok, who is in the running for World Cup selection, now faces the possibility of a lengthy ban which could rule him out of the sport's glittering showpiece, and beyond.
Montgomery was red carded during a fiery clash with Swansea at St Helens in which two other players, Newport's Mike Voyle and Swansea prop Tim Evans, were also dismissed. Referee Nigel Owens confirmed the former Stormers Super 12 star was sent off for pushing a match official as the Newport players stood in the in-goal area following the concession of a try.
The International Rugby Board's regulations state that the suspension for `physical abuse of a match official' ranges between two years and life, with a five-year ban the norm. Newport team manager Jim McCreedy stressed the club would investigate the incident but claimed Montgomery could have been provoked.
"A number of players allege that something was directed at Percy. We will have to interview him to establish the background to the incident," said McCreedy. "He is obviously devastated."
The Welsh Rugby Union is awaiting the reports from all three match officials but confirmed Montgomery will face a disciplinary hearing, probably on May 27. "The referee and his two touch judges will submit the relevant reports surrounding the incidents," the WRU said in a statement.
Once the match officials' reports are received by the WRU they will be forwarded to the clubs and the players will then be subject to the normal WRU disciplinary hearing.
South Africa coach Rudlf Straeuli has earmarked Montgomery as one of those he is considering for a Springbok recall ahead of the World Cup in October.
