Stormers lock handed a ban after opening round
NEWS: The Stormers will be without lock Adré Smith for their upcoming Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle after he received a one-match suspension.
Smith was sent off for stamping during the Stormers’ 26-17 victory over Bayonne in the opening round, just minutes after coming off the bench.
He accepted that his action was reckless, but argued before a disciplinary committee that it did not merit a red card.
The committee upheld the sending-off but classed the offence at the lower end of sanctioning, carrying a two-week ban.
However, Smith’s acceptance and strong disciplinary record saw the suspension reduced to one match.
“An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Benjamin Rutherford (Ireland, Chair), Bogdan Zebega (Romania), and Chris Morgan (Wales) heard the case via video conference yesterday, Monday, December 8. The Committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
“Smith accepted that he had committed a reckless act, but he did not accept that it warranted a red card.
“The independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the player was guilty of a deliberate stamp on the player on the ground and it upheld the red card. It was then decided that the offending was at the low-end of World Rugby’s sanctions, and two weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“Taking into account the player’s good disciplinary record and the fact that he accepted he had committed an act of foul play, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by one week before imposing a one-week suspension.
“Smith is free to play again on Monday, December 15. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
*Meanwhile, Gloucester’s Deian Gwynne has been handed a three-match ban after being cited for making contact with the eye area of a Castres player during their 34-14 victory.
The flanker received his marching orders for the incident, but accepted it warranted a red card.
“The Gloucester back row, Deian Gwynne (N0.6), has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round 1 match against Castres Olympique at Kingsholm on Sunday, December 7,” an EPCR statement read.
“An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Marcello d’Orey (Portugal, Chair), Ken Owens (Wales), and Val Toma (Romania) heard the case via video conference today, Tuesday, December 9. The Committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
“Gwynne accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.
“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Gwynne had recklessly made contact with the eye of an opponent. It was then determined that the offending was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions, and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.”
