Bezzecchi suspended after slap: Why Aprilia’s appeal was rejected

On Saturday evening at 7.52 pm, the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel suspended World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi from Sunday’s Brno GP after he first shoved and then slapped a marshal following his crash in the afternoon’s sprint race, as evidenced by several camera recordings.

Aprilia Racing lodged an appeal against the decision within the prescribed 60 minutes and paid the required €1,320. During the appeal hearing, Ralph Bonhorst and Ales Holan heard the arguments put forward by Aprilia Racing, represented by Massimo Rivola and Paolo Bonora, as well as those of the MotoGP Stewards Panel (Simon Crafar, Andres Somolinos, Tamara Matko), and concluded that the penalty imposed on Bezzecchi was justified and stands: the Italian remains suspended for the Czech Grand Prix on Sunday at 2 pm.

The reasoning in full: “The FIM Appeal Commissioners have carefully examined the written submissions filed on behalf of the rider and the evidence presented, including video footage, official reports and the circumstances of the incident. Whilst the Appeal Commissioners acknowledge that riders involved in accidents may experience frustration, disappointment and heightened emotions immediately following an incident, such circumstances can neither excuse nor justify physical aggression towards circuit staff carrying out their official duties.”

‘Track marshals and other safety officials are fundamental to the safe running of motorcycling. They work in hazardous environments and often place themselves in close proximity to moving motorbikes and other hazards in order to protect participants and ensure the safe continuation of the event. The sport relies on these officials being able to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation, verbal abuse or physical assault.”

“The principles of sporting conduct require all participants to treat officials, marshals and volunteers with respect at all times. Any aggressive physical contact with a track safety official constitutes a serious breach of these standards and undermines the mutual trust and respect on which the safe running of the championship depends.”

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“The Appeals Commissioners consider it particularly significant that the individuals involved were marshals who were actively involved in recovering the rider’s motorbike following an accident. These individuals were acting solely in the interests of rider safety, the safety of the event and the proper conduct of the competition. Physical aggression towards marshals is completely unacceptable in professional motorsport and cannot be tolerated, regardless of the circumstances that led to the incident.”

“Failure to respond appropriately to such behaviour would risk sending the wrong message to participants across the entire championship, and this would be at odds with the governing body’s obligation to protect officials, volunteers and staff who contribute to the sport. Taking into account the seriousness of the behaviour, the status of the individuals involved as track safety officers, the need to uphold appropriate standards of conduct, as well as the need for both specific and general deterrence, the Appeal Commissioners are convinced that the Stewards’ Panel was correct in concluding that the driver’s actions constituted conduct detrimental to the interests of the sport. The Appeal Commissioners further conclude that the penalty imposed is proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and falls within the appropriate range of penalties available to the panel. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed and the original decision is upheld in its entirety.”

Aprilia Racing could lodge a further appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne within the next five days, but by then the Brno GP will have long since taken place.