Stormers star fails in Euro appeal - ban stays

NEWS: Stormers prop and sometimes captain Neethling Fouché has lost his appeal against a ban.

Fouché will miss four games.

Following the appeal, the panel upheld the original disciplinary panel decision.

In the Round 14 United Rugby Championship encounter between Ulster and the Stormers (Friday, March 28) the referee Andrea Piardi showed Fouché a red card in the 45th minute of the game.

It was issued under Law 9.16 – A Player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.

On the Monday, March 31, a disciplinary panel consisting of Declan Goodwin (Chairman), Janet Gedrych and Chris Morgan (all Wales) found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting a six-game suspension.

The Panel reduced the suspension (33 percent mitigation) due to the player’s good record, remorse and exemplary conduct before and during the hearing – which resulted in a four-game suspension.

The player exercised his right to appeal.

An appeal panel consisting of Kathrine Mackie (Chairperson, Scotland), David Martin (Ireland) and Robert Milligan (Scotland) met on Thursday, April 10, to review.

The appeal was not upheld and the original disciplinary panel sanction remains.

Fixtures Neethling Fouché is unavailable for:
Stormers v Connacht, April 19, URC
Stormers v Benetton, April 26, URC
Stormers v Dragons, May 10, URC
** Stormers v Cardiff Rugby, May 16, URC

** Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.