Odogwu gets six weeks for kicking Springbok
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Paolo Odogwu of Wasps and Aled Brew of Bath have both been slapped with bans for foul play in the Premiership and will miss the opening rounds of European competition.
Odogwu appeared before a disciplinary panel, after he was shown a red card by referee Tom Foley in the 79th minute of Wasps’ 18-28 Round Four loss to Sale Sharks last Friday, November 8.
Odogwu was dismissed for kicking Sale’s one-time Springbok Rohan Janse van Rensburg in the head – contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12 and accepted the charge.
He was given a six-week suspension by the panel – comprising Dan White (chairman), with Chris Skaife and John Doubleday – and is free to play again on Tuesday, December 23.
“The panel did not accept the player’s explanation that his leg extended to assist his balance in the air and prevent him from falling backwards,” White said.
“The panel found that while he did not intentionally aim to make contact with the Sale player’s face, he did intend to use his outstretched leg to fend off a potential oncoming player and was reckless as to whether or not it made contact or caused injury.
“In this case, the dangerous action of the player resulted in a minor injury to the Sale player.
“In our opinion, this was nevertheless a top-end entry point; his disrespectful behaviour to the referee and crowd, after receiving the red card, only served to reinforce our view. His behaviour reflected poorly on the player and the game as a whole.
“The player did accept the charge, has no prior disciplinary record, apologised for his actions and subsequent behaviour [both post-match, publicly on twitter and again at the hearing] and was therefore awarded full mitigation of 50 percent.”
* Watch highlights of the match, including the kick …
* Meanwhile Brew appeared before a disciplinary panel after he was shown a red card by referee Ian Tempest in the 48th minute of the match between Bath and Northampton Saints last Saturday – won 22-13 by Bath.
Brew was dismissed for striking George Furbank from Northampton Saints contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12 and accepted the charge.
He was given a three-week suspension by the panel – comprising Dan White (chairman), with Chris Skaife and John Doubleday.
Brew is free to play again on Tuesday, December 3.
“The panel did not accept that this was a reckless action by the player,” White said.
“It was a deliberate action that was completely avoidable; albeit committed in the heat of the moment.
“No injury was caused to the opposition player who passed the HIA and returned to the field.
“Balancing all factors, the panel considered that this was a mid-range starting point of six weeks.
“The player had accepted the charge at the earliest possible opportunity, showed remorse on and off-field and was candid before the panel in respect of his intentions.
“He has a clean disciplinary record over a lengthy career at a high level and on that basis, he was awarded the full mitigation of 50 percent.”
Related articles
Wasps wing apologises for behaviour
Europe worries about an under-committed Sarries
Saracens: ‘Full facts’ will come out
The clause at the heart of Sarries’ troubles
