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Van Wyk cops four-week ban

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Matt Banahan of Gloucester Rugby and Kobus Van Wyk of Leicester Tigers each appeared before an online independent disciplinary panel.

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Banahan was shown a red card by referee Ian Tempest in the 69th minute of the match between Gloucester Rugby and Harlequins on Saturday, March 20 . This was for a dangerous tackle, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13 .

Van Wyk was shown a red card by referee Jack Makepeace in the 14th minute of the match between Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers on Saturday, March 20. This was for a dangerous tackle, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13 .

Both players accepted the charges.

Banahan was given a three-week suspension and Van Wyk a four-week suspension by the independent disciplinary panel comprising Philip Evans QC (chair) with Tony Wheat and Rob Vickerman.

Banahan’s free to play date will be determined in due course. Van Wyk is free to play again on April 27, 2021.

Independent disciplinary panel statement read: “[Banahan] the player accepted the charge of dangerous tackling.

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“Having considered all matters set out in regulation 19.11.8 the panel concluded that this offence just remained within the mid-range entry point for sanction.

“The starting point is therefore Six weeks. The player had no offences recorded for a significant period, he pleaded guilty to the charge and presented other positive mitigation to the panel. As a result of all of his mitigation the panel felt able to reduce his sanction to three weeks.

“The panel will consider when that suspension will be served once further updated medical evidence has been received.”

Statement continued: ” [Van Wyk] the player accepted the charge of dangerous tackling. The panel did not find the player’s actions to be intentional but did conclude the offence warranted a mid-range entry point of Six weeks.

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“There were no aggravating features to the offence. The player accepted the charge and was able to put other significant mitigation before the panel but he had a recent offence on his record from 2020 and therefore the maximum the panel concluded it was able to reduce the starting point by was two weeks.”

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