Belgium's Charles-Henri Berguet has been suspended for four matches for a red card offence contrary to Law 9.12 (striking with the foot). The red card was issued in Belgium's Rugby World Cup 2027 Final Qualification Tournament match against Brazil on 13 November, 2025.

The independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) met on Friday, 14 November and was chaired by Shao Ing Wang (Singapore), joined by former referees Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Valeriu Toma (Romania). In accordance with the remit of the new expedited off-field sanction process trial operational in the November internationals, sanctions are proposed in line with Appendix 1 of Regulation 17. 

The FPRC meets without the attendance 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

The FPRC decided to refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee.

The Disciplinary Committee met on Sunday 16 November, and was chaired by Nigel Hampton KC (New Zealand), joined by former players Ofisa Tonu'u (New Zealand) and Jamie Corsi (Wales).

The player accepted that foul play had occurred but did not accept that the offence warranted a red card.

The Disciplinary Committee considered the player’s submissions, along with the clips and other available evidence and found that the red card was to be upheld. While the red card was issued for a breach of Law 9.11 (a player must not do anything reckless or dangerous), the Committee decided that the offence should correctly be regarded as 9.12 (striking with the foot).

The Committee considered the appropriate entry point for the offending and found that due to the contact with the head in the incident, that the offence warranted the mandatory mid-range entry point of eight matches. Having considered submissions as regards mitigation, the Committee decided that the player was entitled to full available mitigation resulting in a final sanction of four matches. 

The player is therefore suspended for the following matches:

  • Belgium v Samoa - FQT - 18 November 2025
  • Vannes v Agen - 29 November 2025
  • Carcassonne v Vannes - 5 December 2025
  • Vannes v Biarritz - 12 December 2025

Because the Disciplinary Committee sat as first instance hearing body, the player has 48 hours to appeal from receipt of the full written decision.

Read more about the expedited off-field sanction process here.

Visit World Rugby’s disciplinary hub here.