Hearing for boy who punched rugby referee delayed

The boy is facing a life ban from the sport. Photo / Thinkstock

An 11-year-old boy who allegedly tacked and punched a referee during a club rugby game has been banned from the sport until at least next month.

An independent disciplinary tribunal met to hear the Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club case this evening, but the case has been deferred until July 9.

The boy was seen to tackle and punch the referee after receiving a yellow card for a head-high tackle to an opposing Marist Eastern player during their Under-12 grade match on Saturday.

The game was stopped after the incident, that occurred about 10-minutes into the second half, and an official complaint was made to the Auckland Rugby Union.

A disciplinary committee hearing scheduled for this evening was to determine what consequences the boy faced, but that has been delayed, said a statement from Auckland Rugby.

"The panel, along with the involved parties, has come to a consensus that the hearing is to be deferred.

"This is to allow the parties to gather further information for the panel consider.

"The player in question has been stood down from all rugby in the interim."

The statement said no parties would be able to comment until an outcome was reached.

The Herald understands it is the first time such a serious complaint has been made for a junior grade rugby game.

The maximum penalty is a life ban from the sport.