Jaguares thug learns fate after head stomp

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Jaguares hooker Santiago Socino has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Socino for contravening Law 9.12: Stamping or Trampling, after he was cited during his team’s 19-33 loss to the Sharks in Round Six

The incident occurred in the 80th minute of the match at Kings Park in Durban.

Socino can be seen to be delivering a vicious stamp on the head of Sharks counterpart Craig Burden.

The incident (see screengrabs below) was not picked up or sanctioned by match officials, but clearly seen on the live footage.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden ruled the following: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Citing under Law 9.12.”

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s clean judicial record and the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including Saturday, April 4. This sanction covers the player’s next three scheduled matches and also incorporates the scheduled bye weekend for the Jaguares in Round Nine.”

All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.