FRENCH RUGBY PLAYER KO’S REFEREE WITH SINGLE PUNCH
A FRENCH rugby league player is facing a lifetime ban after knocking out a referee before attacking opposition players in an incident that has shocked the sport. Referee Benjamin Casty — brother of Catalans Dragons and France prop Remi Casty — was attacked by hedi ouedjdi after sending him to the sin-bin for making an obscene gesture to the crowd. ouedjdi was playing for Saint-Esteve in an under 20s French Cup match when he floored the referee with a single punch, then lashed out at opposition players who tried to restrain him. the match was abandoned, as Casty received treatment in hospital. the Saint-Esteve president Christian Cozza has resigned.