Welsh Rugby Union has handed over indefinite ban to Mike Phillips – Rugby update
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has handed over an indefinite ban to their international scrum half Mike Phillips. The decision has been announced on the WRU’s website on Friday, June 17.
Part of the statement released on the website read, “Mike Phillips has been suspended indefinitely from Wales' squad duties with immediate effect. The Wales management team will take time to consider circumstances surrounding recent allegations about the
player's behaviour in public whilst on an agreed holiday period from pre-Rugby World Cup training.”
The incident occurred earlier in the week in Cardiff city. WRU has directed Phillips not to report to the WRU for the pre-World Cup training session starting from Monday June 20th. WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, has expressed his disappointment
on the loss of Phillips. However, He made it clear that they will not tolerate any behavior or action by the players that is against their standards.
Lewis added, “"Mike Phillips is an exceptional player, but there is irrefutable evidence of a prima facae nature that he was engaged in behaviour which falls below the standards we set. It is vitally important that we send out a clear and unambiguous message
to one and all concerning our views on matters of this sort.”
Wales’ team manager, Alan Phillips, has termed that players action as clear breach of the disciplinary standards. He emphasised on the discipline and acceptable behaviors required by the players both on and off the field. He reiterated that they will not
compromise on these issues.
Alan Philips said, “We have suspended Mike Phillips on the clear evidence of a level of behaviour we regard as unacceptable. It is clear there has been a breach of our disciplinary standards."
Philips also confirmed that Phillips ban decision has been discussed with the Wales national team’s head coach Warren Gatland and supporting staff.
The 28-year-old Phillips has played 52 international games for the Welsh national rugby union team and scored 35 points. The ban has ended the Stade Francais bound scrum half’s 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) hopes.
WRU has named Cardiff Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams as replacements of the Phillips in their provisional 2011 RWC squad.
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