Repeat offender Faauli gets lengthy ban in bid 'to combat a pattern of such offending'

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Jonathan Faauli of the Chiefs for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

The incident occurred in the 62nd minute of the match between the Chiefs and Hurricanes played at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on 13 July 2018.

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

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following:

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, additional evidence, a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13”

Faauli has been suspended from all forms of the game for 6 weeks, up to and including Friday 31st August 2018.

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid range entry point of 6 weeks. The Foul Play Review Committee added 2 weeks to the entry point as aggravation for the fact the Player has two previous offences of a similar nature on his Judicial record and as a personal deterrent to combat a pattern of such offending by the Player. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s expressed remorse and his plea of guilty at the earliest possible opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 6 weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended for 6 weeks, up to and including the 31st August 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.