Independent Disciplinary Update: Akira Ieremia Decision

Akira Ieremia of the Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY has been suspended for three weeks due to the foul play during the match between KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS and Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY held on 13 December 2025.

This is to inform that the sanction for Ieremia was reduced to two weeks as a result of Coaching Intervention as part of Head Contact Process that has been submitted to World Rugby from the club.

■ Updated decision

Sanctions: 2 week (match) Suspension (Rd 2-3)

■ The decision before change (As of 18 December)

Player: Akira Ieremia 

Team:Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY 

Date of Incident: 13 December 2025

Nature of Offence:  

Law 9.11 –  Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.

Law 9.20 (a)  – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul; A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

Sanctions: 3 weeks (matches) Suspension (Round 2-4)

The Act: The player made a shoulder charge and that caused a head contact to Kobe Steeler's No. 7 player 

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 11:00 into the 2nd half

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2025-26” (JP only)

https://league-one.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/menu/17338_693ba388aee09.pdf
Japan Rugby Football Union “Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play” (JP only)
https://rugby-japan.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/html/169467_6560879583b90.pdf
World Rugby　Regulation17 DISCIPLINE - FOUL PLAY
https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-17