France Rugby strongly oppose the implementation of the 20-minute red card

Following World Rugby’s announcement to propose the global trial of new laws that will be reviewed by the Council, FFR (French Rugby Union), LNR (National Rugby League) and Provale (Union of Rugby Players Competing in France) express their strong opposition to the 20-minute red card trial.

FFR, LNR and Provale firmly oppose the implementation of the 20-minute red card law as global trial
and call on World Rugby to rely on solid evidence before changing such a crucial sanction, particularly
regarding its impact on player safety.

Indeed, the trial of this law in four competitions, with insufficient data collected, cannot be considered
a convincing reason for improvement or a basis for global trial.

For example, during the U20 Junior World Championship, only three red cards were issued, which does not allow for clear conclusions about implementing this as a global trial.

Impacts on the Game

While some believe this law will promote a fairer game as a red card, statistics provided by the FFRto World Rugby show that a red card does not systematically mean defeat for the offending team.

Indeed, an analysis based on 480 TOP 14 and Tier 1 international matches demonstrates that only
60% of the teams penalized with a red card ended up losing the match.

Maintaining the safety and values of rugby

For FFR, LNR and Provale the red card is a crucial tool that deters unsporting behaviour and protects
the physical integrity of players.

Reducing this sanction to a kind of temporary expulsion could encourage dangerous behaviours, compromising player safety, which must remain the top priority.

French professional clubs and France national teams staff emphasize the need to maintain a firm
stance against foul play.

The red card, as a collective sanction, aims to preserve fairness and balance, and reducing the red card to an individual sanction would weaken this essential role.

Moreover, this law would represent an unacceptable step backward in the measures implemented
over the past several years to reduce head contacts and encourage players to demonstrate greater
technical control in contact situations.

Impacts on the image

Rugby is followed by millions of fans worldwide. The implementation of this law could encourage
more aggressive play or create controversies related to tactical exploitation of the law, negatively
impacting the image of rugby.

Finally, based on these points, the FFR will vote against the implementation of this law as global trial
at the World Rugby Council meeting on November 14, 2024.

Jean-Marc Lhermet, Vice-president of FFR for high-level rugby and match officials, said: “The red
card is an essential tool to deter dangerous behaviour on the field and to ensure the safety of our
players.

“Reducing this sanction to a 20-minute temporary expulsion would weaken our ability to
protect athletes’ physical integrity and to maintain fairness — fundamental values of rugby.

“We call on World Rugby to reconsider this trial and ensure that any decision is based on solid and conclusive data properly shared with all relevant stakeholders in advance, which is not the case today.”

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