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Demands are mounting for a lifetime ban to be imposed following a shocking incident during a rugby match between Welsh teams Llandovery and Ebbw Vale on Thursday evening. During the first half of the Super Rygbi Cymru clash at Church Bank, Ebbw Vale's Curtis Gregory received a straight red card for stamping on opposition player Joe Powell, leaving viewers horrified by the sheer brutality of the act.
As a ruck formed, Powell briefly grabbed Gregory's leg, which prompted him to stamp down forcefully on the stricken player's outstretched leg with considerable force.
Fortunately for Powell, he appeared to avoid any visible injury and wasted no time in making his displeasure known to Gregory by shoving him away.
The Welsh Rugby Union is currently awaiting the match official's report before a disciplinary panel convenes to consider the case and any resulting sanctions, according to WalesOnline.
Referee Craig Evans halted play immediately in the 35th minute, informing Ebbw Vale's captain: "We have a stamp by this player. I did ask the question if anything aggravated it. My AR (assistant referee) didn't see anything. It's a stamp on the leg. Red card. Permanent."
The fixture was being broadcast live on S4C, and replays of the ugly incident prompted audible groans from the Welsh-language commentary team.
Footage of the incident rapidly spread across social media and the story has gained international attention, with prominent news outlets in South Africa and Australia running headlines on the matter.
News.com.au featured the story prominently overnight with the headline "Rugby shocked by 'most vindictive' foul play as furious fans call for lifetime ban".
Online discussion has already seen demands escalate for the harshest possible sanction.
"Difficult to know how long to ban Curtis Gregory for here. But it has to be long. Very long," one fan said.
Another added: "Unbelievably thick and very dangerous."
A third wrote: "One of the worst I've seen watching rugby for nearly 40 years. Should never step on the field again."
Rugby journalist Andy McGeady wrote: "Reminds me of that 1995 stamp on Doddie Weir. All of the books will be thrown. Long ban incoming."
More social media users added to the complaints, with one writing: "Yeah that's a lifetime ban. That's actually p***** me off, one of the scummiest things I've seen on a rugby pitch."
Despite falling 15-0 behind and being reduced to 13 players at one point, Ebbw fought back to win the match 31-15 with 31 consecutive points.
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