Joe Marler issued with ban following “whore” comment about Jake Heenan’s mother

"Your mum’s a f***ing whore.”

Joe Marler has been issued with a ban after video evidence shows that he twice called Jake Heenan's mother a "whore" during the Harlequins' game against Bristol Bears. The footage from the rugby match is conclusive and Heenan admits that he "lost his head" upon hearing the remark for a second time in the game, as his mother is currently in hospital battling cancer. Marler was handed a six-week ban for his comments, but four weeks of the ban have been suspended, meaning he'll initially serve a two-week break from action. He accepted the charge. In a statement to the disciplinary panel, Heenan said: "After being kicked on the ground by Joe Marler in the ruck before the scrum, I told him to cut it out at the next scrum.

"After a few words he said 'your mother is a whore'. I left it the first time, then he repeated it a second time to which I looked at [referee] Karl Dickson. Karl looked at me, looked away and shook his head.

"When I realised that he wasn't going to intervene I lost my head." The audio has been circulating around social media and you can hear the full dialogue between the players which went as follows:

Heenan: “Brother, you’re better than that, eh?” Marler: “I’m not your brother.” Heenan: *inaudible* Marler: “I’m clearly not your brother, am I?” Heenan: “You’re better than that mate.” Marler: “There’s no way I’m from the same mother as you mate, your mum’s a f***ing whore.” https://twitter.com/CaolanSRugby00/status/1609152946985385984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1609152946985385984%7Ctwgr%5Ed28a29d16483e4049301dceba41e755f008139f3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walesonline.co.uk%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Frugby-news%2Fjoe-marler-denies-whore-comment-25877015

In his written evidence to the panel, the referee says: “During the incident I was made aware of a comment potentially said [by Marler] to Heenan. I never actually heard the comment therefore couldn’t act on it.” The confrontation between the two resulted in a melee breaking out on the field. Marler admitted that the "mum joke" was one of his go-to acts of sledging and did not think it was abuse, because it was not based on race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. The Harlequins player also revealed that Heenan has accepted his apology for over-stepping the mark. Related links:

• Johnny Sexton damages cheekbone in match-ending collision with Jarrad Butler
• "Piss poor from me" Joe Marler offers apology after Jake Heenan comment sparks brawl
• Wolfe Tones hit out at Leinster's apology for playing Irish rebel song