Glasgow's McDowall to miss vital games after suspension

NEWS: Glasgow’s Stafford McDowall was handed a three-match suspension following an incident against Toulon in the Champions Cup last weekend.

The suspension is for “making reckless contact” with the eye of Toulon’s Facundo Isa.

The ban covers both legs of the 1872 Cup clash with Edinburgh and the European fixture against Racing 92 at Scotstoun. He will be free to play from January 13 next year.

While the incident was picked up during the game, EPCR, which governs the European club competitions, received a citing complaint from match citing commissioner Deker Govender.

He alleged that McDowall made contact with the eye or eye area of Isa and was deemed to reach the threshold of a red card, in contravention of Law 9.12.

McDowall’s case was heard via video by an independent disciplinary committee chaired by Antony Davies of England, including Ken Owens of Wales and Stefan Terblanche of South Africa.

McDowall accepted he had made reckless contact with the eye and the panel decided the offending was at the low end of the scale of seriousness, imposing an entry point of six weeks’ suspension.

That was cut by three weeks due to his good disciplinary record and timely acceptance of the charge, meaning the ban is for three weeks.

“Taking into account the playing schedule over the festive period, he will be free to play from January 13, 2025,” said a statement. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

McDowall will miss this Sunday’s home match against Edinburgh at Hampden, the return game at Murrayfield on December 28, and the Racing tie on January 10.