Cape Town - Brumbies second-rower Rory Arnold has been banned for three weeks after pleading guilty to a charge of a dangerous tackle against the Lions.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review committee accepted a guilty plea from Arnold for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was red carded in Johannesburg.
Arnold has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including Saturday, June 9. The incident occurred in the 60th minute of the match between the Lions and Brumbies.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review committee of Nigel Hampton QC (chairperson), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following:
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, and a statement from the player, the Foul Play Review committee upheld the citing under Law 9.13.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review committee deemed the act of foul play, a dangerous high tackle, merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's excellent, clear, disciplinary record, his expressed remorse and his guilty plea at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.
"The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including Saturday, June 9, 2018.”