Sale Sharks winger Arron Reed suspended for three weeks

Sale Sharks winger Arron Reed, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round of 16 2nd leg match against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

Reed was sent off by the referee, Frank Murphy (Ireland), in the 34th minute of the match for tackling the Bristol Bears wing, Luke Morahan, in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

The Judicial Officer, Kathrine Mackie (Scotland), considered the matter on papers and she upheld the red card decision, finding that Reed had executed a dangerous and reckless tackle, making contact with Morahan’s head, that warranted a red card. It was then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

As Reed had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card, and given his clear disciplinary record, it was decided to grant the full 50% mitigation and the Judicial Officer therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

Reed is free to play on Monday, 23 May, however, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 16 May. Both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.