Slater suspended for two weeks
Slater was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Jeff Mark (Wales), for striking the Glasgow Warriors prop, Zander Fagerson, in the 21st minute of the European Rugby Champions Cup, Round Six match in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).
Law 10.4 (a) Striking another player with the hand, arm or fist
Under World Rugby's Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (a), striking with the hand, arm or fist, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: Two weeks; Mid-range: Fourweeks; Top end: Eight to 52 weeks.
An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of David Martin (Ireland) Chairman, David Hurley (Ireland) and Roddy Dunlop (Scotland), heard evidence and submissions from Slater, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Leicester Tigers Head of Rugby Operations, Ged Glynn, and from the Leicester Tigers legal representative, Sam Jones. The Committee also heard evidence and submissions from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer Liam McTiernan.
The Committee upheld the citing complaint and determined that the offence had warranted a red card. Following recent sanction guidelines concerning strikes to the head, the Committee was required to find that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions, and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account Slater's guilty plea, his good disciplinary record and his expression of remorse, the Committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent before imposing a two-week suspension.
The Committee also accepted that Slater would have been considered for selection for Leicester Tigers' Anglo-Welsh Cup fixtures, and given that he has already served one week of an internal two-week suspension imposed by the club, Slater will be free to play on Monday, February 6 2017. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
