By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 14:24, Monday, 19 July 2010

A Cumbrian rugby player has spoken for the first time of his devastation after being banned from the game for five years for what he calls a “freak accident”.

Callum Jennings

Related: Cumbrian rugby player given five year ban after rival blinded in one eye during game

Whitehaven RFC vice-captain Callum Jennings had never even had a red card in 17-year career, but last week the 26-year-old was given a five-year-ban for carrying out a move which left another player blind in one eye.

Mr Jennings learnt his fate at a Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary appeal panel on Wednesday night, where he had hoped his original 78-week match suspension would be scrapped – but instead it was more than doubled. His ban is one of the stiffest ever imposed on a player in the rugby world.

The panel found Mr Jennings guilty of “an intentional act of foul play” in March, after making contact with the eye of Alan Hedworth of Aspatria Eagles in a hand-off during a match on October 24.

An appeal was launched because Mr Jennings insisted there had been no malice involved. However, the panel decided the charge should be changed to one of striking and extended it to five years.

Speaking exclusively to the News & Star, Mr Jennings said that he is devastated with the result and with being labelled a “dirty” player when in his 17-year rugby career he has never even had a red card.

The 26-year-old said that in an ideal world, his ban would be lifted and he could go back to the game that he loves so much.

“I am absolutely devastated with the ban – I just couldn’t believe it when I found out,” he said.

“I will always maintain it was an accident. I have had a clean record for over 10 years – I have never been sent off the pitch.”

On Saturday, a crisis meeting was called at the club’s headquarters, which the News & Star was invited to, by Mr Jennings and his barrister Julian Gill.

Mr Gill wanted to explain to the 100-strong supporters what had happened, how the RFU came to their decision and what the next steps are.

He said he couldn’t understand how the decision for a five-year ban was reached and urged those who thought injustice had been delivered to start a campaign to clear Mr Jennings’ name.

A petition will be launched and Mr Jennings is going to see Copeland MP Jamie Reed to ask for his support.

Speaking after the one-hour meeting, Mr Jennings told the News & Star that the ban could be the end of his rugby career as he will be 32 when it is lifted.

Although he is distraught that the hand-off, which is a common use of the hand in the game, left Mr Hedworth blind in one eye, he said he was bewildered by the lengthy ban and adamant that the injury was a freak accident.

He said the move he carried out on Mr Hedworth was no different from other times he has used it in his career. The RFU added an extra 25 per cent to the ban because the panel said Mr Jennings had shown no remorse. But he denies this, saying that he was in contact with the club officials after the game, asking how Mr Hedworth was.

And Mr Jennings said that he has been overwhelmed by the support of his teammates, family and friends – and even strangers – and wanted to show his appreciation to them, as well as to Mr Gill.

First published at 11:22, Monday, 19 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk