Ramsay cleared of eye-gouging

CHALLENGE CUP DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: A citing complaint against the Section Paloise second row Daniel Ramsay, arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round One match against London Irish at the Stade du Hameau, has been dismissed following a disciplinary hearing Wednesday.

Ramsay was cited by the match citing commissioner, Gary Gordon (Scotland), for allegedly making contact with the eye of the London Irish second row, Rob Simmons, in the 44th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.

The disciplinary committee – comprising Pat Barriscale (Ireland, Chairman), Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) and David Humphreys (Ireland) – considered video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from Ramsay, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, from the player’s legal representative, Benjamin Peyrelevade, from the Section Paloise Head Coach, Sébastien Piqueronies, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee decided that although Ramsay had made contact with Simmons’ eye or eye area, his actions did not warrant a red card, and on that basis, the complaint was dismissed.

Ramsay is free to play and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.