France refer Nick Haining to citing commissioner, says Raphaël Ibanez

FRANCE team manager Raphaël Ibanez has told a press conference that he has ‘transmitted’ images of the fracas preceeding the punch which led to tight-head prop Mohamed Haouas being red-carded during yesterday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield to the match commissioner. The former hooker believes that Scottish No 8 has a case to answer.

“Momo played a big role in rebuilding the team,” said Ibanez, according to L’Equipe newspaper. “He was exemplary. Yesterday (Sunday), there are various clashes which bring about his gesture. He was rightly sanctioned. There is no possible dispute. But we tried to understand why he reacted like that. We found some pretty telling images that I passed on to the Citation Commissioner. The fate of the Scottish third line (Haining) is in the hands of the Citation Commissioner. ”

Coach Fabien Galthié has hinted that the broadcast on the giant screens at Murrayfield and viewed by the video referee had not shown the entire sequence. “The director’s choice is part of the wider case,” Galthie explained.