Latest disciplinary news

Here follows an account of the latest disciplinary news:

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

Dan Fish suspended for three weeks

The Cardiff Rugby fly half, Dan Fish, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing by video conference today (Thursday, 23 December) arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup Round 2 match against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

Fish was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Ciaran Scally (Ireland), for making contact in a dangerous manner with the head of the Harlequins full back, Tyrone Green, in the 80th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.16.

Law 9.16 A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.16 carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

The independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Gareth Graham (England), Chair, Tony Wheat (Ireland) and Yannick Jauzion (France), considered video imagery of the incident and heard evidence and submissions from Fish, who pleaded guilty to the charge, from the player’s legal representative, Richard Locke, from the Cardiff Rugby Team Manager, Gafyn Cooper, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The Committee upheld the complaint, finding that Fish had made contact with Green’s head in a dangerous manner. It then determined that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected six weeks as the appropriate entry point.

Taking into account the player’s guilty plea and excellent disciplinary record, and there being no aggravating factors, the Committee reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

Given his upcoming playing schedule which includes matches on 27 December, 3 January and 15 January, Fish is free to play on Monday, 17 January 2022. If he applies for a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Tuesday, 4 January 2022.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Will Muir appeal refused

The Bath Rugby wing, Will Muir, has had his appeal against a four-week suspension refused following an independent Appeal Committee Hearing by video conference today (Thursday, 23 September).

Muir was cited for having made contact in a reckless manner with the eye of Leinster Rugby’s Josh van der Flier in the 14th minute of the Leinster v Bath Heineken Champions Cup Round 1 match at the Aviva Stadium in contravention of Law 9.12.

Law 9.12 A player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes contact with the eye.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12, contact with the eye, carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 6 weeks; Mid-range: 12 weeks; Top end: 18 to 208 weeks.

The citing complaint was upheld by an independent Disciplinary Committee and Muir was suspended for four weeks.

The independent Appeal Committee comprising Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Jamie Corsi (Wales) and Donal Courtney (Ireland), heard evidence and submissions from Muir, from his legal representative, Sam Jones, from the Bath Rugby Chief Operating Officer, Alex Cohen, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The Appeal Committee was not satisfied on the balance of probability that the decision appealed against was wrong, or that the original Disciplinary Committee had fallen into error, and the appeal was therefore refused.

Muir will remain suspended and is free to play on Monday, 10 January 2022.

EPCR CHALLENGE CUP

EPCR appeal refused

EPCR’s appeal against the dismissal of a citing complaint against the Section Paloise second row, Daniel Ramsay, has been refused following an independent Appeal Committee Hearing by video conference today (Thursday, 23 December).

The complaint arose from the EPCR Challenge Cup Round 1 fixture between Section Paloise and London Irish at the Stade du Hameau following which Ramsay was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Gary Gordon (Scotland), for making contact with the eye of the London Irish second row, Rob Simmons, in the 44th minute in contravention of Law 9.12.

Law 9.12 A player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes contact with the eye.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12, contact with the eye, carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 6 weeks; Mid-range: 12 weeks; Top end: 18 to 208 weeks.

The Disciplinary Committee dismissed the complaint on the basis that although Ramsay had made contact with Simmons’ eye or eye area, his actions did not warrant a red card. EPCR then lodged an appeal against the decision.

The Appeal Committee comprising Antony Davies (England), Chair, Roger Morris (Wales) and Gordon Black (Ireland), agreed to hear the case de novo and submissions and evidence were taken from Ramsay, who did not accept the citing complaint, from the player’s legal representative, Benjamin Peyrelevade, from the Section Paloise Head Coach, Sebastien Piqueronies, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan. Evidence was also heard from the London Irish player, Rob Simmons.

The Appeal Committee found that the player had not committed an act of foul play that would have warranted a red card. The original citing complaint was dismissed, and therefore, EPCR’s appeal was refused.

Ramsay is free to play.