Two Premiership stars slapped with bans
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Two players have been slapped with bans by the Rugby Football Union, followed this weekend’s Premiership action.
Kyle Eastmond appeared before a disciplinary panel on Tuesday over his red card that he picked up in Leicester Tigers’ 10-41 defeat at the hands of Bristol Bears last Saturday.
The Tigers were forced to play with 14-men for the majority of the match after centre Eastmond was red-carded for a high shot on Ian Madigan in the 25th minute of the match.
He was charged with a dangerous tackle, contrary to Law 9.13.
Eastmond pleaded guilty to the charge and was suspended for four weeks by the disciplinary panel – comprising of John Brennan (chairman), Matt Bayliss and Tony Wheat.
He is free to play again on January 1.
”The player accepted the charge and accepted through his representative that the entry point was mid-range due to there being direct contact to the head of the opponent,” panel chairman John Brennan said.
“The panel acknowledged his plea, his remorse for the incident and his apology but could not give the player full mitigation of 50 percent due to his having been sanctioned for dangerous tackling last season. As such, the entry point was reduced by two weeks rather than three.”
The incident occurred in the 57th minute of the match Gloucester’s 36-16 win over Worcester last Saturday.
Pennell pleaded guilty and the disciplinary panel – comprising of John Brennan (chairman), Matt Bayliss and Tony Wheat – suspended him for two weeks.
He is free to play again on December 18.
“The panel accepted that this was a reckless challenge caused by a misjudgement on the player’s part,” Brennan said.
“Fortunately, no significant injury was caused.
“The panel found the entry point was low-end. There were no aggravating features and the player was entitled to full mitigation of 50 percent because he admitted the charge, had a hitherto unblemished record, despite a long career, and had expressed remorse.”
