Stormers prop receives ban for head-on-head tackle

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Stormers prop Sazi Sandi has received a three-week ban for foul play.

The 24-year-old received a red card for a head-on-head tackle in his team’s 34-18 win over Edinburgh in Round Three of the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

The prop was already left out of the Stormers’ touring squad on Monday ahead of the disciplinary hearing.

The Capetonians face Zebre in Parma this weekend before they head to Wales for matches against the Ospreys (October 8) and Cardiff (October 14).

“After an act of foul play against Edinburgh Rugby player No.6 [Jamie Ritchie] referee Frank Murphy showed the player a red card in the 74th minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously,” said a URC statement.

“Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

“The panel overseeing the disciplinary process, David Martin [Chair] and Kim Moloney [both Ireland], Chris Watts [Wales] found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks.

“The player received full mitigation due to his behaviour and clean record which results in a three-week/game suspension, the panel confirmed that he can apply to World Rugby for the HPC Coaching Intervention, which would reduce his suspension to two games.

“As a result the Player will be suspended for a period of three weeks.

“Should the player complete the Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.”