Welsh rugby authorities came under fire today following a court case which saw Bridgend prop Chris Stephens ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to a rival player he almost blinded in one eye.
Cross Keys full-back Ioan Bebb had to undergo an operation to save the sight in one eye following an on-pitch attack by Bridgend's Chris Stephens in a Welsh/Scottish League match.
He has suffered a 25% loss in vision from a detached retina and has been forced to retire from the game.
Stephens, a 25-year-old Wales A player, was today ordered by a court to pay the compensation and do 200 hours of community service after admitting causing grievous bodily harm to Bebb.
Following the court case Bebb blasted the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for failing to act over violence in general, and the Stephens incident in particular, claiming their inaction forced him to go ahead with the court action.
``To take the steps to go through the court was possibly the hardest decision I have ever had to take,'' Bebb told BBC Radio 5 Live.
``But it was forced upon me because the governing bodies did not want to take any action.
``Nobody wants violence of any kind in sport. Unfortunately when it does appear they are not seen to be pro-active in taking any steps.''
Stephens, of Maesteg, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Bebb by punching him in the face.
Blackwood Magistrates Court heard that the attack on 30-year-old PE teacher Bebb, 30 dislodged a retina in his right eye and could have blinded him.
He needed immediate medical attention for a broken nose and stitches for a cut to the face and later underwent surgery at the Bristol Eye Hospital to save his vision.
Nick Lewis, defending Stephens, said that rugby is a physical game and both players walked on field with that knowledge.
He said Stephens received a series of blows to the head himself from Bebb and struck out once with no intention of harming him.
Chairman of the bench John Gaydon told Stephens his good character and clean previous record had saved him from a jail sentence.
``I believe that the assault was the result of actions at that moment in time and was in no way pre-meditated,'' he said.
Speaking after the trial, Bridgend chairman Derrick King said: ``I am delighted that it is all finally over. This has been hanging over everyone's head since the summer.
``Unfortunately rugby is a physical sport, and this was a chance blow which you see often in the game.
``But there is probably less on-field violence in Welsh rugby than anywhere else.''
A WRU spokesman tonight said they are considering whether to comment on what Bebb has said.