England international Jonny Hill is set to appear before an independent disciplinary panel this evening after allegedly physically abusing a spectator in June of this year.
The alleged incident took place whilst lock Hill was watching his club side, Sale Sharks, take on Bath in a Premiership knockout fixture last season at the Recreation Ground.
On Monday a statement was released by England Rugby saying that the former Exeter Chiefs player, who has 23 caps for his country, will appear before a panel this evening.
"Jonny Hill, Sale Sharks, is due to appear before an independent disciplinary panel this evening, Monday 4 November, for an alleged breach of RFU Rule 5.12 – conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and/or Union in circumstances where he is alleged to have physically abused a spectator in the aftermath of Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground on 1 June 2024," it read.
"The panel will be chaired by Philip Evans KC sitting with Oliver Clark and Leon Lloyd."
The incident became a police matter but that is still ongoing due to several delays that has irked Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson, who remains without his lock.
"We have no clarity on Jonny with regards to the exact date he is going to return. It's still with the authorities at the moment, and we have to wait for whatever judgement passes down from them," he told the media before a clash with Gloucester in October.
He added: "The guy who is supposed to be dealing with it is on annual leave."
The initial incident took place over four months ago, following Sale's 31-23 play-off loss away to Bath when it was alleged a supporter was put in a 'headlock' by Hill and 'cut'.
"I have to take deep breaths and accept that it's out of my control and out of Jonny's at this point in time," Sale Sharks boss Sanderson continued when talking a month ago.
He added: "It's not like we're not chasing it up. We have got barristers on the case and have had since the start of this. It's just a long process that is not conducive to professional sport."
A British & Irish Lions tourist in 2021, the 30-year-old moved to Sale from Premiership rivals Exeter Chiefs in 2022 and has played 39 times for the north-west outfit to date.
