Harinordoquy dad in pitch punch-up

BASQUE rugby team Bayonne are to lodge a complaint after last night's defeat against bitter local rivals Biarritz - after the father of Biarrot captain Imanol Harinordoquy joined in a pitch battle to defend his son.

Lucian Harinordoquy has apologised after jumping down from the stands when his son got into a punch-up with Bayonne's Renaud Boyoud.

He had been watching the game with other red-and-white fans when a melee broke out in the seventh minute and he "lost control" and ran on to the pitch.

As he tried to punch Boyoud he was grabbed by another Bayonne player and thrown to the ground before being shown off the pitch by his son's scrum-half.

Biarritz has accepted his apology where he said "sorry" to "the Bayonnais and Biarrot fans, the two teams and their staffs, the French Rugby Federation and the world of rugby in general".

However, despite him jokingly being named by the as "man of the match" in Biarritz's 21-19 victory Bayonne officials failed to see the funny side and say they are going to complain.

Bayonne president Michel Cacouault said Harinordoquy senior prevented them scoring a "certain" try and his intervention was the turning point of the match.

Already father is catching up on son on the Google listings: search for Harinordoquy and the top result is for the former French captain... next is Harinordoquy papa and Harinordoquy Lucien.