Former Bulls prop banned for 4 weeks

Cape Town - Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman has been banned for four weeks after being found guilty of foul play.

A disciplinary panel convened in Neath, Wales to consider the red-card decision against Schoeman in last weekend’s PRO14 match against Leinster.

Schoeman was shown a red card by referee Dan Jones under Law 9.12 - A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm (including stiff-arm tackles), shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

The incident occurred in the 71st minute of the PRO14 Round 4 fixture at the RDS Arena in Dublin when the referee deemed Schoeman to have committed an act of foul play against an opponent (No 20, Dan Leavy).

The disciplinary panel, comprising of Simon Thomas (chairperson), Roger Morris and Nigel Williams (all Wales), concluded that there was an act of foul play of striking the head with the forearm which carries a mid-range entry point (six weeks).

A ban of six weeks was reduced due to mitigating circumstances, Schoeman’s acceptance of the red card and behaviour throughout the hearing.

As a result, Schoeman will be banned for a period of four weeks and can return to play from midnight on Sunday, October 21.

Schoeman, who joined Edinburgh from the Bulls this year, was reminded of his right to appeal.

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