Rugby star Ben Flower faces lifetime ban over brutal mid-game punch-up

As he faced the prospect of a lifetime ban, Ben Flower has issued an apology for his vicious Grand Final attack on St Helen’s Lanca Hohaia.

17:53 13 October 2014

Rugby star Ben Flower is now facing a lifetime ban following brutal mid-game punch during Saturday’s Grand Final. The shamed athlete apologised to St Helen’s Lanca Hohaia and to the Rugby League as a whole in his statement regarding the incident.

He said: “I offer my apologies to Lance. I have full respect for him. I’d also like to say sorry to my team-mates, our fans and the Wigan Club. I know I’ve let them down like never before and accept I’ll have to live with this for the rest of my career.

“Finally, I’m sorry to the sport of Rugby League. It was a big night and I know I’ve taken the attention away from what was a special event.”

Meanwhile, Wigan chairman and owner Ian Lenagan said that Flower’s action was “totally inappropriate.”

The game’s match review panel will meet to examine the footage and decide on Flower’s fate.