Bayonne scrum-half Mike Phillips and wing Cedric Heymans have been suspended indefinitely by the Top 14 club according to reports in France.
Phillips, who is Wales' first choice number nine, was fined and suspended while Heymans, who has played on the wing and at full-back for France, received only a suspension until further notice for what Bayonne president Alain Afflelou described as "unacceptable off-field behaviour".
"I'm furious - outraged," he told L'Equipe.
"This is unacceptable and not worthy of a professional player.
"It shows a lack of respect for the club's partners and the public.
"He will not play again until further notice and we will also punish him financially."
Afflelou revealed that Phillips, who is out if action due to a hand injury at the moment, has been in trouble for similar behaviour before.
"This is not the first time he's been sick," he said.
"It's shameful.
"I'll talk to the players tomorrow to tell them that from now on, we'll only give opportunities to those who want to fight with commitment and respect for the team, our commercial partners and the public.
"Others, regardless of who they are - if they carry on behaving like spoiled children, they will no longer wear the shirt of this club."
Bayonne are currently one place off the bottom of the Top 14 table and it is believed that Phillips and Heymans were punished after they were partying after last week's 35-6 defeat to Toulouse.
Comments
suilven says...
Totally agree about Phillips!
Posted 11:05 01st October 2012
munster30 says...
@ Sulivan
whoops, apologies, meant Heymens. Didnt mean that he was arrogant or anything was talking about Philips. And Philips could wind anyone up. Was just thinking out loud that Heymans could have been wound up by Philips to the point where a fight started.
Am a big fan of both Heymens and Rougerie. Both quality players.
Posted 14:08 29th September 2012
suilven says...
On Rugbyrama it says (I think) Heymans is suspended for something he said at a press conference. Apparently he suggested that all the "supporters" booing them should try "putting on a shirt" (as in playing) sometime.
@munster30 Cedric Heymans (Not Rougerie!!!) has never been known for arrogance or aggressive behaviour, was a long-standing hard-working Toulouse player (for about 10 years!) & France XV faithful. God knows why the poor guy ended up at Bayonne.
Posted 12:35 29th September 2012
munster30 says...
hand injury? suspension?
Any time I hear of a player injuring a hand in training I immediately think, "Fighting".
Philips seems like an arrogant player at the best of times so him getting into a fight with team mates, let alone the opposition is easy enough to imagine.
Always thought the same about Tomás O Leary. He was always picking up hand and eye injuries "in training". He was supposed to have been a bit full of himself aswell. The "dropped weight in the gym" was apparently a punch from Alan Quinlan. Nothing like a punch from one of your own team mates to bring you back down to earth I'd imagine.
Wouldn't be surprised if it comes out that Roberts and Rougerie were fighting each other/other team mates.
Posted 22:05 28th September 2012