Ex-Georgia prop cops massive ban after latest Clermont defeat

Former Georgian international Davit Kubriashvili has been handed a hefty ban following a midweek disciplinary hearing on foot of a recent run-in with a Top 14 match official. The 36-year-old, who has played his club rugby in France since 2007/08, was a sub in Clermont’s 21-18 defeat at Bayonne on May 13.

That loss left the club drifting in 11th place heading into this Sunday’s final match of the season at home to Racing 92. That is a game that will be the first of Kubriashvili’s whopping 11-match sanction.

The veteran front-rower only played the last 14 minutes of his team’s clash at Bayonne, but during that time Clermont relinquished an 18-6 lead and they eventually lost to the three points secured through a late Camille Lopez penalty kick that was awarded for a scrum infringement.

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The fallout resulted in the 47-cap tighthead, who played for Montpellier, Toulon, Stade Francais, Grenoble, and Perpignan before his signing last summer by Clermont, having a case to answer and he is now facing a lengthy lay-off with no exact return date known at the moment.

A statement read: “Davit Kubriashvili was found liable for ‘action against a match official’ and more especially ‘disrespecting the authority of a match official’. The higher level of sanction was retained, namely a suspension of 12 weeks.

“After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (his disciplinary record), the sanction was increased by one week. After consideration of mitigating circumstances (conduct before and during the hearing and expression of remorse), the penalty was reduced by two weeks. Consequently, Kubriashvili is suspended for 11 weeks.

“As of May 24, and taking into account the schedule of matches for Clermont, his date of requalification will be communicated at a later date.