Fijian pays dear price for his bite
Bordeaux-Beglès' Fijian back row forward Sisa Koyamaibole has been banned for three months for biting an opponent in last weekend's European Challenge Cup tie against London Irish.
Koyamaibole was found guilty of the attack on his London Irish counterpart Declan Danaher in the second half of Saturday's 16-43 defeat.
Both the player and club can appeal the decision handed down by Challenge Cup organisers.
The suspension covers all competitions, including French Top 14 games.
Koyamaibole will be eligible to resume playing on January 7.
Koyamaibole appeared before judicial officer Antony Davies (England) on a charge that he committed an act contrary to good sportsmanship in that he bit Danaher.
The complaint was made by citing commissioner John West (Ireland).
Davies heard evidence and submissions from Koyamaibole, by conference call, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play contrary to good sportsmanship.
The player was represented at the hearing in Dublin by Bordeaux-Beglès Director of Rugby Raphael Ibenez.
The judicial officer also heard evidence and submissions from ERC disciplinary officer Roger O'Connor and from Declan Danaher by conference call.
The judicial officer upheld the citing complaint.
Employing the IRB recommended sanctions for Law 10.4(m), the judicial officer determined that the offence, although intentional, had caused minimal injury, and was at the low-end entry point of 12 weeks.
After considering any mitigating and aggravating factors he decided that the entry point was sufficient and imposed a suspension of 12 weeks.
