Toulon player learns his fate for sending Libbok to hospital

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Toulon forward Yannick Youyoutte received a five-week ban for his red card in last weekend’s Champions Cup Round One clash against the Stormers in Gqeberha.

The 25-year-old was sent off in the 71st minute for a head-on-head tackle on Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok.

Libbok had to be hospitalised in Gqeberha after suffering a concussion.

On Thursday, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) released a statement after Youyoutte’s disciplinary hearing.

“Yannick Youyoutte has been suspended for five weeks following the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee arising from his club’s Champions Cup Round One match against the Stormers at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday, December 7,” said the statement.

“Youyoutte was sent off by the referee, Karl Dickson [England], in the 71st minute of the match for a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13.

“Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

“Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points: Low-end – two weeks/matches; Mid-range – six weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches.

“The independent Disciplinary Committee, Jennifer Donovan [Ireland, Chair], Christian Scotland-Williamson [England] and Valeriu Toma [Romania] heard the case via video conference on Wednesday, December 11.

“The player was in attendance and was represented by Cedric Rouhaud [RCT Legal Director], Laurent Emmanuelli [RCT Sporting Director] and Sophie Magdziak [RCT Lawyer].

“Youyoutte accepted that he had committed an offence that warranted a red card and the Disciplinary Committee selected 10 weeks as the appropriate entry point.

“No aggravating factors were present, and on the basis of the mitigation submitted on the player’s behalf, a five-week discount was applied to the entry point of 10 weeks. The player was therefore suspended for five weeks.

“He will be free to play from Monday, January 13. However, if he participates in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, he will be free to play from Monday, January 6.

“Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”

Meanwhile, two Stade Français Paris players were suspended for foul play in their team’s 7-33 defeat to Munster in Limerick last weekend.

Pierre-Henri Azagoh was sent off in the 48th minute for strike to the head of an opponent, while Baptiste Pesenti got his marching orders for spear tackle in the 52nd minute.

Azagoh has been suspended for three weeks following his disciplinary hearing. Pesenti received a two-week suspension.