Botha cops three-week ban
DISPLICANRY UPDATE: Munster loose forward Arno Botha has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London on Wednesday.
Botha was sent off during his team’s 10-3 win over Saracens in the Champions Cup last Saturday.
Botha left the field in 81st minute after referee Romain Poite (France) handed him a red card for striking the Saracens replacement, Nick Tompkins with his arm in contravention of Law 9.12.
Law 9.12 Striking with the arm
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to striking with the arm carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Dan White (England), Chair, Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) considered imagery of the incident and heard evidence and submissions by video conference from Botha, who accepted the red card decision, from Munster Rugby’s legal representative, Pat Barriscale, from the Munster Rugby Team Manager, Niall O’Donovan, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The Committee upheld the red card decision finding that the act of foul play was reckless. As contact to the head or neck carries a minimum mandatory mid-range sanction, according to World Rugby’s regulations, six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
There were no aggravating factors, and taking into account the player’s guilty plea and timely expression of remorse, the Committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent before imposing a three-week suspension.
Botha is free to play on Monday, December 30, and both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Arno Botha red card. Correct? pic.twitter.com/md2GwZowfu
— Smallclone (@Smallclone_) December 8, 2019
Meanwhile, Dan Evans (Ospreys) has been suspended for four weeks.
Evans was issued with a red card during his club’s Champions Cup, Round Three match against Racing 92 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
Evans was sent off by the referee, Frank Murphy (Ireland), in the first minute of the match for striking the Racing 92 wing, Teddy Thomas (No 14), with his boot in contravention of Law 9.12.
Law 9.12 Kicking
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to kicking carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks.
Evans was sent off by the referee, Frank Murphy (Ireland), in the first minute of the match for striking the Racing 92 wing, Teddy Thomas, with his boot in contravention of Law 9.12.
Evans is free to play on Monday, January 6, 2020, and both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Dan Evans red card#OSPRAC pic.twitter.com/bGtPCYPhrG
— Smallclone (@Smallclone_) December 7, 2019
