Two weeks of Payne
Ulster fullback Jared Payne has been suspended for two weeks, following a disciplinary hearing in Dublin.
It follows a foul play incident in the European Cup quarterfinal match against Saracens at Ravenhill Stadium last Saturday, April 5.
Payne was shown a red card by referee, Jerome Garces (France), in the fifth minute of the match for a dangerous charge on the Saracens fullback, Alex Goode, in contravention of Law 10.4(i).
The judicial officer, Simon Thomas (Wales), heard evidence and submissions from Payne, Ulster Director of Rugby David Humphreys, and team manager David Millar, as well as from ERC disciplinary officer Roger O'Connor.
In upholding the red card decision, the judicial officer determined that Payne had committed a reckless act and concluded that the offence was at the low end of the IRB sanctions for offences of this nature and selected three weeks as the appropriate entry point.
As there were no aggravating factors, and taking into account the player's clean disciplinary record and his exemplary conduct at the hearing, the judicial officer reduced the sanction by the maximum of one week and imposed a suspension of two weeks.
Payne is free to play on Monday, April 21.
Law 10.4(i): Tackling, tapping, pushing or pulling an opponent jumping for the ball in open play
Under the IRB Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4(i) carries the following sanction entry points: Low end: three weeks; mid range: six weeks; top end: 12 to 52 weeks.
