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Cape Town - Highlanders centre Jason Emery has been suspended for four weeks after a mid-air collision with Sharks fullback Willie le Roux in their Super Rugby clash last Friday.
A SANZAAR judicial hearing on Monday found Emery guilty of contravening Law 10.4 (i) - Tackling, tapping, pushing or pulling an opponent jumping for the ball in a lineout or in open play - after he was issued with a red card during the game in Dunedin.
Emery has been suspended up to and including Saturday, May 21. It will see him miss three Super Rugby matches.
The SANZAAR judicial hearing, held via video conference on Monday, was heard by a judicial committee of Jannie Lubbe SC (chairman), De Wet Barry and John Langford.
In their finding, the judicial committee ruled the following:
"Jason Emery appeared before a SANZAAR judicial committee having been red carded in the match between the Sharks and the Highlanders for a breach of Law 10.4 (e).
"During the hearing the charge was amended as a breach of Law.10.4 (i) and Mr Lloyd, acting for the player, raised no objection. The player pleaded guilty to the amended charge.
"After careful consideration of the available evidence and the very helpful submissions of Mr Lloyd the offence was categorised as mid-range which carries a six weeks suspension.
"The committee took into account as mitigating factors the player's exemplary clean disciplinary record after seventy first class matches, his apology in person to Willie le Roux immediately after the match and on social media, his guilty plea and the fact that the tackle was rather reckless than deliberate.
"The player was therefore given a two week discount on the recommended sanction of six weeks.
“The player is accordingly suspended from all rugby until 21 May 2016 which effectively is a three match Super Rugby suspension. We were provided with proof that he would have been selected to play in a club match on 21 May 2016 which match the player will also miss as a result of the suspension."
