Livid coach Geoff Parling shoves Craig Doyle after ‘bantz’ fail
Leicester Tigers head coach geoff parling shoved TV presenter Craig Doyle this afternoon at Villa Park after pre-match banter over a penalty kick sparked confrontation. The incident unfolded as presenter Liam MacDevitt took a penalty at the goalposts under which Leicester were training, and Doyle asked whether parling would “sign” his colleague. Parling responded by shoving Doyle, issuing an expletive and telling them to “get off the pitch. “
Geoff Parling reacts on the pitch
The sequence began when presenter Liam MacDevitt took a penalty kick at the goalposts where Leicester were conducting drills. As the presenters stood on the training area, Craig Doyle — Doyle’s role identified as a TV partner — posed a question about signing MacDevitt, using the word “sign” during the exchange. Head coach parling then approached the pair, physically shoved Doyle and used strong language while ordering the presenters off the field, telling them to “get off the pitch. ” The confrontation occurred before Leicester’s Premiership fixture at Villa Park.
Sequence of events and match outcome
Leicester travelled to play Gloucester in the English Premiership and, despite the pre-match incident, the visitors completed the trip as 17-36 winners. The team arrived at Villa Park while running training near the goalposts where the presenters later kicked a penalty. The shove and expletive took place prior to kickoff and did not prevent the match from proceeding to its full conclusion.
Immediate reactions from those involved
Craig Doyle asked whether he would “sign” his colleague during the pre-match activity, a line that preceded the confrontation. After approaching the presenters, parling told them to “get off the pitch, ” and an expletive was used in the exchange. Presenter Liam MacDevitt had taken the penalty kick that set the moment in motion, standing where Leicester players had been training.
Quick context
Leicester Tigers were visiting Gloucester in the English Premiership when the episode occurred at Villa Park. The visitors were third in the league at the time and left the stadium with a 17-36 victory.
What’s next
The on-field confrontation is now a noted moment from the lead-up to the fixture, and observers will watch for formal responses from the club and the broadcasters involved. The match result — a 17-36 win for the visitors — stands as the official outcome from Villa Park, and geoff parling’s interaction with the presenters remains a focal point for further comment.
