Disciplinary Decision: Malakai Fekitoa

The Disciplinary process related to Malakai Fekitoa citing in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4 game against Edinburgh Rugby on Friday, October 17 has resulted in a three game suspension.

The Citing Commissioner in charge reported Benetton player No 12 (Malakai Fekitoa), for an act of foul play in the 43rd minute under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

In the Player's response to the Panel overseeing the disciplinary process Ben Rutherford (Chair, Ireland), Neil Snellenburg SC (South Africa) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa), he accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. The Panel found the incident met the Red Card threshold, with an entry point of mid-range warranting a six game suspension. The Player received three weeks (50%) mitigation due to his good record, remorse and exemplary conduct throughout the disciplinary process which results in a three game suspension.

Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week*.

Fixtures Malakai Fekitoa is unavailable for:

Benetton v DHL Stormers, 25 October 2025, BKT URC

Scotland Emerging XV v Tonga, 15 November 2025

*Scotland v Tonga, 23 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series