New Zealand’s Laura Bayfield was issued with a red card as a result of two yellow cards in New Zealand’s Pool C match against Japan in Sandy Park, Exeter on 31 August, 2025.
The independent FPRC has issued a warning to Bayfield after determining that sending off would be sufficient, noting that both of the yellow cards were for technical offences.
The player has accepted the sanction and is free to play with immediate effect.
In accordance with the remit of the expedited off-field sanction process trial, sanctions are proposed in line with Appendix 1 of Regulation 17. The FPRC meets without the attendance of the player or their representatives, or World Rugby. However, written submissions may be provided by the player to the FPRC for consideration.
The FPRC has the power to:
- Issue a warning
- Offer the player a proposed sanction based on Appendix 1 of Regulation 17
- Refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee
- Dismiss the red card and/or citings only in the case of mistaken identity
Read more about the expedited off-field sanction process here.
Read the full guide to the off-field sanction process here.
