Minto and Gough to cool their jets
Treviso flank Francesco Minto has been suspended for six weeks following the red card he received in the European Cup clash with Biarritz last week for headbutting an opponent.
Minto was given his marching orders in the first half of the clash at Parc des Sports Aguilera after striking Biarritz scrumhalf Yann Lesgourgues with his head.
The independent judicial officer, Jeremy Summers heard submissions by conference call from Minto and Benetton Treviso’s Chief Executive, Vittorio Munari.
Employing the IRB recommended sanctions for Law 10.4(a), the Summers decided that the offence was at the mid-range entry point of eight weeks. Having taken into account the player’s guilty plea, his remorse and his exemplary conduct during the hearing, Summers reduced the period by two weeks.
Minto will be free to play on Monday, January 30, 2012.
Meanwhile, Wales lock Ian Gough has been banned for three weeks after being cited for a dangerous tackle during the Ospreys’ European Cup defeat by Saracens at the Liberty Stadium last week.
Gough was cited for a tackle on Saracens’ South African hooker Schalk Brits. The Ospreys lock was suspended at a European Rugby Cup disciplinary hearing.
Gough, who can appeal, cannot play again until January 9, 2012, which rules him out of the Ospreys’ Celtic League games against the Scarlets, the Cardiff Blues and the Newport Gwent Dragons.
