Reds captain James Horwill receives $2500 fine after pleading guilty to charge of misconduct

REDS captain James Horwill has received a $2500 fine for his post-game outburst following his side’s dramatic loss to the Rebels in round 14.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: James Horwill and the Reds looks on during the round 14 Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Rebels at Suncorp Stadium on May 17, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

REDS captain James Horwill has received a $2500 fine for his post-game outburst following his side’s dramatic loss to the Rebels in round 14.

Horwill’s judicial hearing was brought forward on Monday after he pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct.

The veteran lock claimed his side were robbed by a “stupid refereeing decision” in a television interview immediately after the Rebels recorded their first ever victory over the Reds.

Horwill was referring to the match-defining penalty which resulted from a an alleged incident of eye-gouging from replacement Reds lock Ed O’Donoghue.

O’Donoghue has since been cleared at a SANZAR hearing.

In handing down his decision on Horwill SANZAR judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC said the incident was at the lower end of misconduct.

“The player promptly admitted the substance of the conduct which formed the basis for the Misconduct complaint being brought against him and displayed a willingness to formally apologise to SANZAR and the match officials,” Hampton said in a SANZAR media release.

“I deem this to be a not particularly serious case of Misconduct in the circumstances and accept that a fine of $2500 would be an appropriate sanction.

“Mr Horwill has an outstanding prior record at all levels and is a recognised leader both nationally and internationally and I accept he is genuinely contrite, with the offer of an apology coming at his own volition.

“I balance against these features of character and past conduct with the fact that Mr Horwill should have known full well the need for respect to be shown to all match officials at all times and it was for that reason SANZAR took this Misconduct complaint.”

Horwill’s Reds face the Highlanders in Brisbane on Friday night.

Originally published as Reds captain James Horwill receives $2500 fine after pleading guilty to charge of misconduct