Injured Lion cited for 'biting'
British and Irish Lions prop Cian Healy has been cited for acts contrary to good sportsmanship, after being accused of btining Western Force scrumhalf Brett Sheehan in the opening match of theor Australian tour.
Citing commissioner Freek Burger made the decision after he took a statement from Sheehan, after he made the complaint about Healy during the first half of the Lions' 69-17 win in Perth.
Healy has been cited under Law 10.4 (m): Acts contrary to good sportsmanship, a player may not bite an opponent.
The incident occurred in the 17th minute.
Healy will appear at a judicial hearing in Perth on Thursday, June 6.
Sheehan remonstrated angrily with the Irishman and pointed to his arm after a melee near the Force tryline. But video replays showed nothing incriminating.
Possible punishments in the event of a guilty verdict were unclear.
Previous penalties for biting include an 18-month suspension handed down to South African Johan Le Roux in 1994 and a six-month ban for England's Kevin Yates in 1998.
However, Healy could be set for a spell on the sidelines anyway after he was stretchered off with suspected ankle ligament damage and sent to hospital for X-rays.
Force coach Michael Foley played down the biting allegation, which clouded the Lions' first game in Australia.
"It's been left on the field," he said. "It was dealt with by the referee at the time."
Lions head coach Warren Gatland said he had little knowledge about the incident.
"I know as much about it as you know," the New Zealander told reporters.
"I think the citing guy has had a look at it and he can't find anything."
Sheehan had earlier indicated he was prepared to "move on".
"I'm not sure if it was an accident or on purpose, so we'll move on," Sheehan said in a half-time interview.
Meanwhile Irish scrumhalf Conor Murray was also in the firing line with Burger investigating claims he trampled on Force youngster Ed Stubbs in the second half.
Gatland has repeatedly warned about the importance of discipline after England's Dylan Hartley missed the tour over unguarded comments to a referee and Owen Farrell reacted angrily to a punch in Saturday's win over the Barbarians.
