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Cape Town - A SANZAR judicial hearing has found Pablo Matera of Argentina not guilty of contravening Law 10.4 (m) Acts contrary to good sportsmanship after he was cited during the match at the weekend between Argentina and South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
VIDEO: Eye gouge or no eye gouge?
The incident occurred in the 45th minute of the match between Argentina and South Africa at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza last Saturday.
The SANZAR Judicial Hearing was held before Judicial Officer Terry Willis via video conference with the assistance of former professional player Paul Thomson from New Zealand.
After hearing the evidence of an eye specialist, Dr Michael Delaney and the evidence of Francois Louw from South Africa, together with that of Matera, the Judicial Officer was not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that there was contact with the eyes or eye gouging such as to constitute a breach of the laws of the game of rugby. Accordingly, the citing complaint was dismissed.
The verdict frees Matera to be included in the Pumas squad for Tests in New Zealand on September 7 and Australia one week later.
Another Argentine, No 8 Leonardo Senatore, has been accused of biting by South African lock Eben Etzebeth and this case is also scheduled to be heard on Thursday.
VIDEO: Eye gouge or no eye gouge?
The incident occurred in the 45th minute of the match between Argentina and South Africa at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza last Saturday.
The SANZAR Judicial Hearing was held before Judicial Officer Terry Willis via video conference with the assistance of former professional player Paul Thomson from New Zealand.
After hearing the evidence of an eye specialist, Dr Michael Delaney and the evidence of Francois Louw from South Africa, together with that of Matera, the Judicial Officer was not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that there was contact with the eyes or eye gouging such as to constitute a breach of the laws of the game of rugby. Accordingly, the citing complaint was dismissed.
The verdict frees Matera to be included in the Pumas squad for Tests in New Zealand on September 7 and Australia one week later.
Another Argentine, No 8 Leonardo Senatore, has been accused of biting by South African lock Eben Etzebeth and this case is also scheduled to be heard on Thursday.
