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Munster rugby fan provokes 130kg giant in ugly on-field confrontation
By Ian Cameron
Footage has emerged of a bizarre scene at Thomond Park during the European Champions Cup match between Munster and Bayonne, which captures Munster fan inserting himself in a scuffle between players.
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The scuffle unfolded near spectators after a contentious play by a Bayonne player halted a Ben O’Connor kick and chase along the touchline.
The footage captures the moment when Bayonne second row Konstantin Mikautadze, a towering Georgian lock, found himself at the centre of a confrontation with Munster players.
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During the brouhaha, the fan’s arm emerged into the shot, pulling the 6’5, 130kg giant backwards and triggering a potentially explosive situation. Remarkably, the fan managed to hold on to his pint of Guinness in one hand, even as the hulking Georgian shaped to punch him. Mikautadze, clearly annoyed, teetered on the brink of reacting before Munster’s Tom Ahern intervened, preventing a serious altercation.
Referee Luke Pearce swiftly ushered the players away from the sidelines as tensions simmered down.
Ireland legend Donal Lenihan criticized the fan’s interference during the RTE commentary, emphasizing the inappropriate nature of getting involved in on-field matters.
A bit silly pic.twitter.com/QuxQNlNUGz
— SmallClone (@Smallclone_) December 10, 2023
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The fan appeared to be trying to prevent a silly confrontation and the players reaction was out of order. The ref should have sent the player to the bin at least for bringing the game into disrepute.
One idiot doens not define a team or a nation. As a Chiefs season ticket holder we are looking forward to Munster fans coming on Sunday. At their last outing the Munster fans were wonderful, full of banter and singing, full of great rugby knowledge and great company before during and after the match. And they keep quiet for the kicker. I will be singing Fields of Athenry with them.
In the 1990s I took my then 11 year old rugby playing son to Harlequins who were playing Munster in a European Cup match. We were in the end South stand and a few rowsd in front was a whole row of Munster supporters. They were swearing and jeering at Quins players and fan all match. Munster fans are appalling.
He nearly got Trevor Brennan-ed!!