An advisory body to the Japan Sumo Association has called for an "extremely harsh punishment" to be meted out to grand champion Harumafuji over his alleged assault of a lower-ranked wrestler, the head of the council has said.
"Tremendous damage has been caused (to sumo). It let fans down," Masato Kitamura, chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, said Monday.
Harumafuji is alleged to have assaulted Takanoiwa during a drinking session at a bar in the city of Tottori, where a regional tour was taking place, late last month.