England forward Jonny Hill has been handed a 10-week suspension following an altercation with a fan after Sale’s Premiership semi-final loss to Bath in June.
A 28-year-old man reported sustaining a cut above his eye during the incident.
Hill appeared before an independent disciplinary panel on Monday to answer a charge of “breach of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game,” specifically the allegation that he had “physically abused” a spectator. Hill accepted the charge.
Both Hill’s club, Sale, and Avon and Somerset Police launched investigations into the incident at the time.
The 30-year-old’s suspension has been backdated, with four weeks of the ban suspended until next season. Hill will be eligible for selection again on December 7, according to Sale.
Philip Evans KC, chair of the independent panel, explained: “The panel concluded that the appropriate starting point was a 20-week suspension.
However, due to the exceptional circumstances and significant mitigation presented by Jonny Hill, the suspension was reduced to 10 weeks, with four weeks suspended until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.”
As part of his sanction, Hill is also required to deliver a presentation to young players at Sale, which will be recorded and submitted to the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
Hill, who has not played since January due to a season-ending patella tendon injury, has been sidelined since watching Sale’s semi-final defeat from the stands.
Sale currently sit eighth in the Premiership, having won three of their six matches this season.
