European Rugby Cup : Alexandre Audebert Citing Decision

Alexandre Audebert Citing Decision

24 January 2008, 3:42 pm

Alexandre Audebert, the ASM Clermont Auvergne flanker (No 7), appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin today (Thursday, 24 January 2008).

Alexandre Audebert, the ASM Clermont Auvergne flanker (No 7), appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin today (Thursday, 24 January 2008) as a result of two citings arising from the Round 5 Heineken Cup Pool 5 match against Munster at Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin on Sunday, 13 January, 2008.

The citings lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Achille Reali (Italy), were for:

1) alleged stamping / trampling on Munster outside half Ronan O'Gara (No 10) in contravention of Law 10.4 (b)
2) alleged punching of Munster replacement Alan Quinlan (No 19) in contravention of Law 10.4 (a)

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan (England) and also comprised Roger Morris (Wales) and John Doubleday (England).

The Disciplinary Committee upheld both citings and found Mr Audebert guilty of foul play in that he stamped on Ronan O’Gara and punched Alan Quinlan.

After considering the evidence available, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that:

1) the stamping offence was of the top end in the level of seriousness. Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the Committee suspended the player for a period of eight (8) weeks up to and including Wednesday, 19 March, 2008.

2) the punching offence did not warrant a red card and accordingly the Disciplinary Committee did not impose a separate suspension.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

NOTES:

(i) Citing Commissioner
a) Citing Commissioners will be appointed by ERC for all Heineken Cup matches and shall be entitled to cite a Player for any act or acts of Foul Play that in the Citing Commissioner's opinion warranted a citing.
b) Clubs will not have the power to cite a player but may refer incidents to the Citing Commissioner within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match.
c) The Citing Commissioner will have 50 hours from the start of the game to make a citing and the determination of the Citing Commissioner will be final and binding. In exceptional circumstances this deadline can be extended.
d) Should the Citing Commissioner decide there is a case to answer he will notify the Disciplinary Officer and the Disciplinary Officer will then bring a charge against the cited player.
e) This case will then proceed to a disciplinary hearing.

(ii) Independent Disciplinary Committee
a) Citings will be heard by an independent Disciplinary Committee as soon as is practicable. Until the hearing a cited player is eligible to play in ERC tournaments
b) The independent Disciplinary Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
c) The ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor, presents the case against the player
d) Both parties to the hearing (ERC and the player) have the right to appeal decisions of the independent Disciplinary Committee. Appeals must be lodged within 72 hours of receiving the full written decision from the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Committee
e) The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee will be available on www.ercrugby.com/discipline when the disciplinary process is complete