Argentinian rugby player Bruno Doglioli is facing a three-year ban after tackling and injuring a female referee during a match.
Doglioli hit a defenceless Maria Beatrice Benvenuti while playing for Vicenza in an Italian Serie A clash with Valsugana last Sunday.
La Gazetta dello Sport reported that Benvenuti suffered whiplash injuries when diagnosed in hospital, after completing her duties as the match official.
Doglioli was shown a yellow carded after the incident and faces a far more serious punishment at a judiciary hearing later in the week.
