Fierce backlash as prop avoids red card for sickening act in Welsh rugby derby

There was a fierce reaction to a moment in the Welsh derby between Llanelli Scarlets and Cardiff Blues in which a player was knocked out in sickening circumstances.

Fans took to social media to vent their outrage after a blatant elbow to the face of Scarlets number eight, Sione Kalamafoni.

Cardiff Blues prop Dmitri Arhip escaped seeing a red card after this collision which incapacitated the opposition back-rower.

The moment occurred in the 51st minute of play with the visitors, Cardiff Blues, leading by 3-10.

We see as the 130k prop smashes into Kalamafoni with immense force – on first viewing it looks innocent enough but slowed down, the clash looks far far worse.

watch the sickening moment in the video below

Utterly pathetic. Stiff arm to the head, not even reviewed. Glenn should make an official complaint. pic.twitter.com/dlWaA6SMr6

— mark thomas (@MarkSupertaf99) January 22, 2021

We see as the prop leads with his elbow directly into the face of Kalamafoni – leading to the number-eight being instantly knocked unconscious.

Fans took to social media to vent their outrage after the video began to circulate online. Here are some of the more visceral reactions to the graphic video.

On the Arhip incident, as I understand it, what refs look for in terms of foul play when there’s contact to the head in such situations is separation of the leading arm away from the body. It’s one that is dividing opinion on here tonight.

— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) January 22, 2021

That’s the double. Get in. Mammoth effort from all involved. Lucky with their disallowed try and Arhip incident but all in all we deserved that. Excellent D. Da iawn @cardiff_blues

— Anthony Lewis (@tonylewis92) January 22, 2021

In related stories