Armitage suspended for eight weeks
Toulon fullback Delon Armitage has been suspended for eight weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in Dublin on Thursday.
Armitage received the lengthy ban for his tip tackle on Montpellier fullback Pierre Bérard during the first half of the European Cup match at Stade Yves du Manoir last Saturday.
Under the new ‘IRB Sanctions for Foul Play’ table which was introduced this season, the entry point for sanctions for tip tackles was increased.
Judicial Officer Robert Williams (Wales) heard evidence and submissions from Armitage, who pleaded not guilty, from Toulon team manager Tom Whitford and from the club’s legal counsel, Sam Jones. Williams also heard submissions from ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O’Connor.
Williams upheld the citing complaint and found that Armitage had committed an intentional tip tackle. He determined that the act was in the mid range of the IRB’s sanctioning regime (eight weeks) and in line with the IRB’s memorandum on deterring tip tackles and taking into account the player’s previous disciplinary record, he added a further two weeks.
Due to Armitage’s remorse and his good conduct during the hearing, Williams deducted two weeks before imposing a suspension of eight weeks.
Armitage will be free to play on Monday, March 18.
Also on Thursday, Rovigo centre Joe van Niekerk was suspended for five weeks for a tip tackle during last Thursday’s European Challenge Cup match against Perpignan at Stade Aimé Giral.
Van Niekerk’s team mate Jean Francois Montauriol’s hearing, for his alleged stamping or trampling on Perpignan lock Guillaume Vilaceca, was adjourned until Friday.
* Meanwhile Racing Metro forward, Antoine Battut (No.6), has been suspended for twoweeks, following a red card issued during the Euro Cup Pool One, Round Six match against Munster last Sunday.
Battut was shown a red card by referee Wayne Barnes (England) in the fifth minute of the match for an alleged strike with the knee on an opponent in contravention of Law 10.4(a) of the IRB's Laws of the Game.
