Argentinian rugby player Bruno Doglioli has been suspended for three years for his mindless tackle on a female referee during an Italian club game.

Doglioli was suspended by his club Vicenza after only receiving a yellow card for his no-arms tackle on Maria Beatrice Benvenuti.

The official was taken to the hospital after suffering whiplash during the game between Vicenza and Valsugana in the Italian Serie A.

Vicenza issued a statement on its official website after the incident saying it had suspended Doglioli “from any kind of activity and condemns firmly the act, contrary to the values of the Company and of the sport.”

The Italian Rugby Federation (IRF) has now banned Doglioli for three years, the longest ban imposed in Italian rugby in the last two decades. The IRF condemned Doglioli’s actions, saying they not only breached the rules of rugby but also contradicted the values of sport.

The highly-rated Benvenuti took charge of her first Serie A game last January, and was named amongst the referees to officiate at the Olympic sevens last summer.

Vicenza, who lost the game 36-5, is currently last in the Serie A table, with only one win this season.

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