Stormers star's citing finally confirmed
NEWS UPDATE: After days of stony silence United Rugby Championship officials finally confirmed the citing of a Stormers star.
Earlier this week it was reported that Stormers centre Ruhan Nel was cited for his tackle on Connacht flyhalf Conor Fitzgerald.
However, it was only on Thursday – despite several requests – that the URC confirmed the citing.
The BlitzBok star was handed a yellow card late in the second half of their 17-19 defeat in Galway last weekend.
Scottish referee Ben Blain deemed Nel’s tackle on Fitzgerald was dangerous as it made head contact.
Blain did find mitigation due to the tackle “riding up” and thus opted against a red card.
On Thursday it was confirmed that a disciplinary committee will meet on Friday, March 4, to consider the citing complaint Nel.
The incident occurred in the 67th minute of the rescheduled URC Round 10 fixture at The Sportsground.
The citing commissioner, Ed Kenny, opted to escalate the incident and made a complaint against Nel.
The player has been cited under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. 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.
Nel will face a disciplinary panel via video conference.
The panel will comprise of Declan Goodwin (Chairman, Wales), John Kirk (Scotland) and Andrea Caranci (Italy).
