Brumbies lock cops suspension after high shot

Brumbies lock Rory Arnold has been suspended for three weeks for foul play during his team’s loss to the Lions at Ellis Park.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Arnold for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was red carded during the Super Rugby match.

Arnold has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including Saturday June 9.

With the Bumbies leading by four points with 20 minutes to go Arnold saw red for a high tackle on Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies and a minute later Sam Carter received a yellow. Down to 13 men, Brumbies conceded three tries and eventually lost 42-24.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.

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In his finding, Hampton ruled the following:

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, and a statement from the player, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.13.

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play, a dangerous high tackle, merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s excellent, clear, disciplinary record, his expressed remorse and his guilty plea at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including the Saturday 9 June 2018.”

All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.

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