An ugly shroud descended over what was supposed to be a highlight of the 2008 Lebanese rugby league calendar, with the Liban Espoir–President’s XIII match on Saturday marred by a mass brawl breaking out on the final hooter. With some teachers in attendance at Balamand stadium, excitedly anticipating their first live match before introducing the sport into their schools, the contest descended into chaos. On the game’s last tackle, Espoir prop Robin Hachache and his opposing marker, Anthony Ghossein, lashed out at one another at the ruck, triggering a series of nasty fracas which died down and flared up repeatedly for fully two minutes. As astonished spectators looked on, Espoir players clashed with President’s XIII players – and even other Espoir players – with some throwing down their jerseys and hurling obscenities at the coaching staff. Some of the participants even threatened to take it onto the street, as the sport was shamed to the nth degree. The LRLC’s executive committee will now be called upon to safe-guard the game’s best interests, and will be heavily scrutinized as it makes a disciplinary ruling at its annual general assembly this Wednesday.
Prior to these disgraceful scenes a decent 80-minutes of football had been played, with the President’s XIII acquitting itself admirably against the formidable 2007 edition Espoirs. Two second half tries, from Riad Khoury and Anthony Ghossein, both coming at the expense of hapless Espoir fullback and captain Pierre Nasr, who failed to deal with a couple of routine high balls, were the highlights for the junior side. On the balance of proceedings, though, the Espoirs had too much artillery, and their robust defence compensated for a marked lack of fluidity in attack. Rudy Hachache – who, along with President’s XIII utility Karim Mourabet, was at the centre of the controversy following the hooter – scored three tries, with three quarters Wael Harb and Ghassan Dandash registering two apiece.
Forwards Ahmad El Masri and Nimr Saliba played strongly for the President’s XIII against a massive Espoir pack, while scheming play-makers Danny Chemaly, Jad Hachem and Ghossein constantly tried to generate something with the ball. Balamand fullback Khoury was arguably the President’s best, playing a near faultless game at the back.
Unfortunately the selection committee will now have to contend with off-field matters as it tries to pick a squad that may well be shorn of some of its more experienced players, depending on Wednesday’s outcome, yet one which will definitely form the backbone of the national team that is due to participate in the RLEF’s European Challenge tri-series this autumn. As the dust begins to settle one thing is certain: the appalling events of Saturday’s match rate it as one of the blackest days in nearly six years of Lebanese rugby league.
Following the events at the end of the Liban Espoir v President’s XIII match on Saturday 2 February the LRLC executive committee has taken the following disciplinary action:
Rudy Hachache has been awarded a 10-match suspension for an act of wanton thuggery, effective immediately. Following this ban the player will remain on probation for the remainder of the year, with a more severe punishment to be conferred for a repeat offence.
Karim Mourabet (pictured ,above) has been awarded a 3-match suspension for instigation and incitement, effective immediately. Following this ban the player will remain on probation for the remainder of the year, with a more severe punishment to be conferred for a repeat offence.
Robin Hachache will be formally reprimanded for his behaviour, with any future disciplinary breaches this season viewed upon harshly by the LRLC.