The Wasps wing David Lemi was today reprimanded and warned about his future conduct after gesturing to Bath supporters at the end of his side's narrow victory at the Recreation Ground last Saturday. The 27-year-old Samoan international, who joined Wasps in the summer after spending four seasons with Bath's West Country rivals Bristol, reacted to the victory, which came after Bath missed a conversion at the end of stoppage time that would have tied the scores, by leaping in the air and raising the second finger on both hands to Bath fans.
If it was not quite the reaction of the Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor at around the same time when the Togo international reacted to scoring against Arsenal by running the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of his former club's supporters and provoke missile throwing that left a steward unconscious, it still concerned the Rugby Football Union.
While Adebayor has been called to account for his actions and faces a one-match ban, the RFU's chief disciplinary officer, Jeff Blackett, deemed a telling-off sufficient with Lemi sidelined for the next six weeks by a wrist injury he picked up during the game.
"I have considered the photograph of David Lemi jumping in the air and gesturing inappropriately," said Blackett. "I am confident that London Wasps acted decisively and proportionally on this matter and David himself has issued a public apology. There is no place for this sort of behaviour in rugby union and I have warned David as to his future conduct."
Lemi said he lost himself in the emotion of the moment. "It was not my intention to offend or make any gesture that would upset anyone in the ground and I would like to apologise for my actions. The game was tight and passionate and I lost myself in the heat of the moment. I have let myself and my team-mates down. I love the game of rugby and would never wish to offend any spectator or player through my actions."
Wasps conducted a review of the incident on Monday and let Lemi know that his behaviour was unacceptable. "He felt it was important to issue an apology," said the club's director of rugby, Tony Hanks. "He was extremely upset that he might have caused anyone offence and while it was an action that was out of character, we do not excuse anything that could bring the game into disrepute or cause any player or spectator offence."
