England rugby international Billy Vunipola has been arrested after a violent incident at a pub in Majorca during which he allegedly slapped a police officer.
- Advertisement -
The 31-year-old had to be tasered twice after police rushed to a bar called Epic in the island capital Palma at 4.30am on Sunday morning following calls from security staff.
Local reports said the sportsman, who was born in Australia to Tongan parents and moved to the UK with his family as a young child, had taken off his shirt and was threatening customers and employees with bottles and chairs.
The 6ft 2in tall professional, who weighs nearly 20 stone, is said to have been unaffected by the first taser volt police used on him after clearing the bar so they could try to resolve the situation.
- Advertisement -
They overpowered him and handcuffed him after using a taser for the second time after Vunipola had reportedly challenged the officers and flexed his muscles.
England rugby international Billy Vunipola has been arrested following a violent incident in a Majorca pub which saw police taser him twice – picture shows his arrival at court in Palma
England rugby international Billy Vunipola has been arrested after a violent incident at a pub
- Advertisement -
The 6ft 2in tall professional, who weighs nearly 20 stone, is said to have been unaffected by the first taser volt police used on him after clearing the bar. Pictured with pokice
Police stormed the Epic bar in Palma to subdue Vunipola using two rounds of taser
Vunipola has played 75 times for the England rugby team over the past 11 years
- Advertisement -
Vunipola cools off in the ocean during the England recovery session at Coogee Beach in 2016
- Advertisement -
Vunipola walks down the beach to the Atlantic Ocean during the England recovery session held Praia da Falesia on November 2, 2016, in Vilamoura
Vunipola, a rugby-union number eight for Saracens in Premiership Rugby, was taken to nearby Son Espases Hospital after being held where he had to be sedated and bound to his bed.
Until the medication took effect several security guards and police officers had to watch over him.
He was taken to court on Sunday, wearing the same blue T-shirt and beige shorts he was arrested in, following the incident in the early hours.
His whereabouts today was unclear but he is understood to have been released on bail pending an ongoing investigation.
A spokesman for the National Police in Majorca, in their first formal comment on the arrest, said: ‘In the early hours of yesterday morning, at 4.30am, we arrested a 31-year-old foreign man on suspicion of a crime of disobedience and assaulting a police officer.
‘The events took place in a leisure establishment on the seafront in Palma, when a man was causing altercations inside the establishment.
‘The man would not listen to reason and confronted the rest of the customers, and the security staff were unable to restrain him or remove him from the premises.
‘The police were alerted and the officers, on seeing the man, who was shirtless and making gestures with his hands, cleared the premises.
‘It was then that he confronted the police and attempted to assault the officers.
Vunipola takes a dip in the ocean during the England recovery session held at St. Kilda Beach on June 15, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia
Vunipola seen at the 2023 Rugby World Cup match between England and South Africa at Stade de France on October 21, 2023 in Paris
‘The police officers tried at all times to get him to calm down, but the man would not listen to reason.
‘At that moment, the man pushed and slapped an officer and a policeman pulled out his electric stun gun and fired a first time although the gun didn’t discharge.
‘A second projectile was then fired, which did the job, and it was then that the officers jumped on him and proceeded to immobilise him by shackling him, later taking him to Son Espases hospital for assessment and arrest.
‘Yesterday afternoon he was taken to court and released on bail pending an ongoing investigation.
A Saracens club statement read: ‘Saracens is aware of an incident involving Billy Vunipola in Majorca.
‘We will of course deal with this incident internally, and will not make any further comment until then.’
The bar where Vunipola was tasered was closed early this morning.
A spokesman for the National Police in Majorca, in their first formal comment on the arrest, said: ‘In the early hours of yesterday morning, at 4.30am, we arrested a 31-year-old foreign man on suspicion of a crime of disobedience and assaulting a police officer.
‘The events took place in a leisure establishment on the seafront in Palma, when a man was causing altercations inside the establishment.
‘The man would not listen to reason and confronted the rest of the customers, and the security staff were unable to restrain him or remove him from the premises.
‘The police were alerted and the officers, on seeing the man, who was shirtless and making gestures with his hands, cleared the premises.
‘It was then that he confronted the police and attempted to assault the officers.
‘The police officers tried at all times to get him to calm down, but the man would not listen to reason. At that moment, the man pushed and slapped an officer and a policeman pulled out his electric stun gun and fired a first time although the gun didn’t discharge.
Vunipola during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Sale Sharks and Saracens at the AJ Bell Stadium on December 22, 2023 in Salford
Vunipola seen playing for Saracens in their Premiership Rugby match against Bath on Friday
‘A second projectile was then fired, which did the job, and it was then that the officers jumped on him and proceeded to immobilise him by shackling him, later taking him to Son Espases hospital for assessment and arrest.
‘Yesterday afternoon he was taken to court and released on bail pending an ongoing investigation.
‘The identification of the alleged perpetrator cannot be provided in order to preserve his privacy.’
The rugby player spent his childhood in Wales and the south west of England after emigrating to the UK.
He won a scholarship to attend the prestigious Harrow School and whilst there, was picked by Wasps Academy where he made his senior debut aged 18.
Vunipola featured 30 times in two seasons before signing for current club Saracens.
He made his debut for England on the 2013 Summer Tour of Argentina. He has since amassed nearly 80 caps.
His father and uncle both played for Tonga. His cousin Taupe Faletau has been capped by Wales and British and Irish Lions.
Speaking previously about 2019, the year England were beaten in the World Cup final by South Africa, he said: ‘I was very, very ahead of myself back then.
‘We had just won the double with Saracens. I had played really well in the semi-final and final and knew I was going to be in the England squad (going to the World Cup in Japan).
Vunipola apologised for his immature behaviour ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan
Vunipola suffered knee injury with Saracens during the Heineken Champions Cup last year
‘I had a conversation with Steve about rugby after training when we were in Treviso. I said a few things that were out of line. I said some things that never should have been said to Steve in that way, but also in front of other people.
‘We had already had conversations about my rugby in January and it is important to say that I don’t believe it had anything to do with me not playing in the Six Nations.
‘But I felt it was important to address the issue and actually apologise to Steve, having matured a little bit. I just wanted to let him know I was sorry because I am.
‘He should never have been in that situation where I’ve made him feel like I was patronising towards him. Especially as an elder, not just the coach but someone who’s older than me. It was very disrespectful what I did to Steve.’
Last year, Vunipola was banned for three matches, suspended for a dangerous high tackle, from the start of the Rugby World Cup.
Vunipola was sent off against Ireland in Dublin, following a bunker review on his high shot on prop Andrew Porter.
Billy Vunipola missed England’s first two Rugby World Cup matches after being hit with a ban
Vunipola (left) was punished for his high tackle on Ireland prop Andrew Porter (right)
Facing an independent disciplinary panel, Vunipola admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card.
World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in head contact is six weeks but, represented by Richard Smith KC, Vunipola’s ban was halved to three.
The verdict stated: ‘Having acknowledged mitigating factors including his exemplary previous record, immediate apology and remorse, and noted the absence of any aggravating factors, the committee reduced the six week entry point by three weeks.’
The decision on Vunipola came after Farrell was banned for four matches following an appeal against the controversial ruling which overturned the England captain’s red card in the defeat to Wales.
