A rugby star has issued a statement after receiving a nine game ban for biting at the Women's Rugby World Cup.
Axelle Berthoumieu, 25, made headlines after she bit Ireland's Aoife Wafer in Sunday's quarter-final, in an incident that overshadowed France's victory. The back row was initially given a 12-game ban, but this was reduced to nine following an appeal.
Despite the reduction, she will miss the remainder of the World Cup and several domestic matches. Berthoumieu has now taken to social media to apologise for the incident.
Posting on Instagram, she wrote: "I lost my temper Sunday against Ireland. I know this is not acceptable and I am aware that this puts an end to my World Cup.
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"I would like to apologize to @irishrugby and Team Ireland @aoife_wafer my teammates and staff, FFR and all those who support us.
"It's not the image I want to give, nor the player I want to be. I accept the sanction. Rugby is a respect sport and this gesture has nothing to do on a rugby field."
Her absence means she will not feature in Saturday's semi-final against England at Ashton Gate, nor in the final or bronze medal match.
The rest of her suspension will be served in club rugby.
The suspension is another setback for the French side, who are already without their co-captain Manae Feleu.
She had also appealed against her suspension, but failed to have it overturned.
France were already considered underdogs going into their clash with England, but the loss of Berthoumieu and Feleu leaves them significantly weaker.
Why was Axelle Berthoumieu's ban reduced?
The BBC reported that World Rugby's disciplinary committee ruled that Berthoumieu's should be cut from 12 games to nine.
A World Rugby statement explained: "The player admitted committing an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 and that the act merited a red card.
"The Disciplinary Committee agreed and concluded that the appropriate entry point was mid-range.
"Therefore, the starting point is a suspension of 18 weeks.
"In considering mitigation, in light of the player’s admission, her clean disciplinary record, her remorse and public apology, the committee concluded that the player was entitled to full mitigation of 50 per cent."
However, the statement added that full mitigation could not be applied 'due to the seriousness of the player's actions'.
As a result, the committee imposed a final sanction of nine weeks, meaning Berthoumieu’s World Cup is now officially over.
Topics: Rugby, Rugby Union
James Taylor