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The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Jacques Vermeulen of the Sharks for contravening Law 9.20 – dangerous play in a ruck or maul -after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.
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Vermeulen has been suspended from all forms of the game for 2 weeks, up to and including Friday 6 April 2018.
The incident occurred in the 49th minute of the match between the Rebels and Sharks played at AAMI Park in Melbourne on 23 April 2018.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Stephen Hardy 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 and both an account of the incident and submissions from the Player, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.20.”
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid range entry point of 4 weeks due to the Player’s dangerous charge into a ruck, making contact with the head of the Player’s opponent. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s youth, his excellent Judicial record and early guilty plea the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 2 weeks.”
“The player is therefore suspended for 2 weeks, up to and including Friday 6 April 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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