BARLA’s Great Britain Under 23s’ involvement in the Simone Franchini Nines was thrown into doubt following disgraceful scenes at Padua which led to their game against Ile de Paris being abandoned by French referee M Didier on the hour following a mass brawl.

Great Britain’s management, after discussion with coaches Gary Charlton and Tony Spence – who are in charge of the `younger’ squad – and Kevin Thompson and Kevin Armitstead, opted to take part subject to confirmation by hosts Italy that a repeat of the French side’s behaviour would not be toleratd.

M Didier, who took over at half time after Carlo Napolitano, the Italian coach, had officiated in the opening period – the appointed referee having failed to turn up on time – had no option other than to call a halt as the British players’ safety came increasingly into question.

Members of the French camp, including coach Claude Oabolu and prop Maiza, were apologetic afterwards and Oabolu deserved credit for physically restraining one or two members of his side who were clearly intent on prolonging the mayhem.

Oulton Raiders second row Andy Williamson was fortunate to escape serious injury after being kicked in the head while on the ground by an opponent, while other British players could also have taken bad knocks.

The brawl was sparked by French centre Diallo, who launched an assault on Wigan St Patrick’s hooker Gary Phillips as the latter was on his way to the sin bin.

Diallo, together with several of his colleagues, had been determined to cause trouble from the start and BARLA coach Kevin Thompson said: “Right from the kick off they were intent on thuggery, not rugby league. There’s no place for that; it was nothing but kicking, gouging, stamping, spitting and illegal tackles, and that isn’t acceptable. Our lads kept their discipline for a long time, but in the end they ran out of patience. I’m glad the game was abandoned because someone could have been seriously hurt.”

Maiza said: “Our players were also arguing and fighting among themselves, including members of the same club, and BARLA cannot be blamed for this incident.”
Oabolu added: “I am desolate. Some of our players are crazy. One of the BARLA players said bad things about Diallo’s mother, and that’s when the game blew up.”

The drama capped an unsatisfactory four days for BARLA, who had beaten Italy 64-0 on Wednesday evening. As holders of the Simone Franchini Nines trophy, BARLA could legitimately have expected to be mentioned on promotional posters but, despite fielding two teams, Great Britain’s name was conspicuous by its absence.

Difficulties over travel and training arrangements added to the frustration and BARLA International Manager Mick Turner said: “It was an absolute disgrace. The treatment we’ve had since we arrived, and the respect we’ve had, has been poor, and the state of the teams we’ve played has been an absolute joke. We’ll have to think hard about taking part in events like this in future.”

Assistant Coach Kevin Armitstead said: “I’m obviously pleased that we won the game. I think if we’d had a proper referee it would have helped, but that was clear thuggery. We talk to our players about keeping our discipline but there was somebody coming over the top in every tackle, or flopping, or putting in a cheap shot with a knee or an elbow, and as a human being where do you draw the line? Kevin Thompson and I are sticklers for discipline but it was like sending a kid into a brick wall every time we took the ball in. That was not in the right spirit of Rugby League at all.”

Britain were ahead 22-4 at the time of the cull, thanks to tries by Bank Quay Bulls full back Ryan Fieldhouse, Wigan St Judes stand off Dean Hunt – who was taken to hospital later with a broken collar bone when a Frenchman followed through with his knees - Thornhill winger Chris Walker and Myton Warriors winger Carl Booth. Williamson kicked three goals, while Maxis Annette touched down for Ile de Paris.

BARLA Great Britain Under 23s: Ryan Fieldhouse (Bank Quay Bulls); Carl Booth (Myton Warriors), Mattie Embleton (Castleford Panthers), Leon Brennan (Leigh East), Chris Walker (Thornhill Trojans); Dean Hunt (Wigan St Jude’s, Scott Green (Thornhill Trojans); Richard Farrer (Egremont Rangers), Gary Phillips (Wigan St Patrick’s), Davey Burns (York Acorn), Craig Millington (Bank Quay Bulls), Andy Williamson (Oulton Raiders), Tom Hill (York Acorn). Subs: Tommy Malyan (Crigglestone All Blacks), Richard Cattley (Stanley Rangers), Sam Radford (West Hull), Lee Edwards (Barrow Island), Tom Eckersley (Leigh Miners Rangers).
Isle de Paris: Sabra; Elfekih, Baux, Diallo, Slah; Dib, Guizien; Osmont, Sidibe, Naiza, Da Costa, Toure, Khenissi. Subs: Annette, Prelat, Crico, Duzan, Sakko.