Western Force coach Michael Foley believes halfback Brett Sheehan has been wrongly vilified over the biting incident that marred the British and Irish Lions’ tour win on Wednesday night.
Sheehan accused Lions prop Cian Healy of biting him on the forearm during the 17th minute of the Lions’ 69-17 triumph, but the former Wallaby didn’t want to take the matter further after the game.
However, citing commissioner Freek Burger insisted Sheehan provide an official statement, with Healy then forced to front a disciplinary hearing in Brisbane on Friday morning.
Healy was cleared of any wrongdoing due to insufficient evidence, but Foley feels Sheehan has ended up being painted as the bad guy.
“I think there’s been a bit of vilifying of him in the last 24 hours, and that’s a real shame, because he was courageous in that game,” Foley said.
“The fact the citing commissioner asked him to give comment after the game certainly shouldn’t have people viewing him in a dim light. He did what he had to do.
“There’s been a lot of commentary about Brett and his role in it. I thought Brett did what any other player would do in the moment.
“Then you can see at half-time he was keen to play it down and leave it on the field. That was his approach after the game.”
Although Healy’s name was cleared, his Lions tour is over after suffering a serious ankle injury against the Force.
jus de couchon
Guest
He probably did get a nibble but carried on like an Italian soccer player.
Pabs
Guest
I knew Sheehan was lying about the bite as soon as he said "it may have been an accident" uhhhh sorry you were very sure it wasn't an accident on the pitch. To suggest afterwards that it may have been an accident is basically trying to diffuse the situation because you know nothing happened.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Sheehan is a notorious mealy-mouthed protagonist something that doesnt hide the fact that he is a average player I took his pre-game rant to be code for a right thrashing from the Lions and so it proved
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Sheehan is a drama queen and it backfired on him, but it has been dealt with. Foley on the other hand will live with his actions forever, after the Reds great effort Foley has been left wanting!!!
Simoc
Guest
From what I have seen it is Foley that is being vilified. There was a process that was followed with Sheehan and the BBC report and follow up have been very fair.