Fraser Brown cleared for Italy clash

Fraser Brown appeared today before an independent Disciplinary Committee, having been cited by an independent Citing Commissioner for dangerously tackling an opposition player, during the 6 Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday, 11 March 2017. The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but argued that it had not warranted a red card.

The Disciplinary Committee have reviewed footage of the incident and all other evidence, as well as hearing submissions and testimony from the player and his representatives.

They have considered the tackle to have been dangerous, and therefore contrary to Law 10.4(e). The Disciplinary Committee, however, found that the act of foul play would have not have warranted a red card, and so the citing complaint was not upheld and no sanction was imposed. (The Disciplinary Committee also considered whether or not the player, in carrying out the tackle, had infringed Law 10.4(j), but found that not all of the necessary elements for foul play under that law had been present). The player is therefore able to resume playing immediately.

Note:

Law 10.4(e) – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.

Law 10.4(j) - Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player's feet are still off the ground such that the player's head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play.