England rugby star Joe Marler is in the spotlight once more after being accused of groping an opponent again.
He was representing Harlequins in the United Rugby Champions Cup during a 32-28 defeat to The Stormers over the weekend. On South African show Supersport’s Final Whistle on Facebook Watch, ex South Africa coach Swys de Bruin accused the prop of groping one of his opponents.
As both teams fought for the ball, while his opponent was on the ground, Marler appeared to reach across at a breakdown and grab Deon Fourie in an uncompromising position. Fourie was visibly upset by Marler seemingly grabbing at his nether regions, and currently the 32-year-old has escaped punishment.
The 63-year-old De Bruin highlighted the incident and dubbed his actions ‘not so kosher’.
“I’m not sure he is above board with all the stuff he is doing,” claimed De Bruin, who stepped away from the Springboks prior to the 2019 Rugby World Cup - which the side went on to win. "Now here is chapter two of the Joe Marler story. They [the Stormers] are defending, he comes in and look what happens, he is coming in on the clean.
“It’s not so kosher what he is doing there, and Deon Fourie doesn’t enjoy it. Deon said, ‘No mate, that’s not on, you can’t do that, it’s just not rugby’. He goes down and gets treated. But I want you to have a look at what he [Marler] really did, what really annoyed Deon Fourie… I have got to pick my words correctly.
"That is the last thing that you want, to get that treatment. That was Joe Marler. Do we need those characters? Yes. But maybe we don’t need that last action so much.”
This is not the first time Marler has been connected with such an incident, as in 2020 he was suspended for 10 weeks after grabbing Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones’ genitals during a Six Nations match. “I was having a laugh, but it was wrong,” he said at the time.
Most recently, Marler was hit with a two-week ban for insulting Bristol forward Jake Heenan's mother in late December 2022. He was overheard saying to Heenan during play: “I’m clearly not your brother, am I? There’s no way I’m from the same mother as you. Your mum’s a f***** wh***.”
A statement from the RFU read: "In all circumstances of the case, the panel concluded that a total ban of six weeks was proportionate but that it was appropriate to suspend part of that sanction. The panel found that an immediate ban of two weeks should be imposed and the remaining four-week ban should be suspended until the end of the 2023/24 season (and may be activated should the player commit a similar offence."
Gareth Graham, who chaired the disciplinary panel at Marler’s hearing, said: "The player accepted that his conduct was prejudicial to the interests of the game." He added: "The insulting and offensive comments made by the player were wholly inappropriate; such comments should form no part of the modern game."
