Deysel's three-week stomp
Sharks loose forward Jean Deysel has been suspended for three weeks for his head stomp on Crusaders rival Jordan Taufua last week.
A SANZAR judicial hearing has accepted a guilty plea from Deysel for contravening Law 10.4 (b): Stamping or trampling – after he was issued a red card by referee Rohan Hoffman in the 16th minute of his team's dramatic 30-25 win over the Crusaders in a Super Rugby match in Christchurch last week.
Deysel has been suspended for three weeks, up to and including Saturday June 7. It means he will miss the Sharks' encounters with the Blues in Albany this Friday and the Stormers in Durban on May 31.
June 7 is the start of the international season, when South Africa play World XV in Cape Town.
The SANZAR judicial hearing – held via video conference on Tuesday, May 20 – was heard by Jannie Lubbe, who was assisted by former professional player, John Langford.
In his finding Lubbe ruled the following: "Jean Deysel of the Sharks tackled Jordan Taufua of the Crusaders near the Sharks' goal-line, after Taufua illegally held on to the foot of Deysel, preventing him from joining the line of defence.
"In order to free himself, Deysel stamped with his boot on Taufua and made contact with the neck/head area of the player. Taufua sustained a minor injury to his mouth, but was able to complete the match and subsequently provided helpful testimony that supported the medical evidence.
"The entry level of the offence was categorised as mid-level, which carries a five week suspension – after applying section 9.5 of Appendix 1 of the SANZAR Disciplinary Rules; mainly because of the use of a boot in the head/face area of a player in a vulnerable position on the ground.
"Stamping is a serious offence. It is an offence that cannot be tolerated in the game because not only is it totally against the spirit of the game, but it carries an inherent potential danger of serious injury to players, especially when contact is made in the head/face area.
"The period of suspension was reduced to three weeks as a result of compelling mitigating factors which consisted of the following: The player apologised to his opponent after the match who accepted the apology. Deysel is a senior player with an exceptionally good record over a long career who acts as a leader and performs a mentoring role in the team. He pleaded guilty and showed genuine remorse for his actions.
"Having considered the player's upcoming schedule of matches as required by IRB Regulation 17, I am satisfied that the player was scheduled to play in the KwaZulu-Natal club competition during the June break for Super Rugby.
"This means Deysel will miss the Sharks' two upcoming fixtures, along with a match for his club side on June 6."
