Arnaud Mela citing

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Iain Goodall (Scotland), was for alleged punching - contravention of Law 10.4 (a) - against Bath Rugby lock Steve Borthwick (No 4).

Mr Mela admitted that he was guilty of foul play in that he had punched Mr. Borthwick.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprised Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and Richard McGhee (Scotland)

After considering the evidence available, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the offence was of mid-range in the level of seriousness. Having taking into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the Committee suspended the player for a period of three (3) weeks from today (Wednesday, 19 December 2007) up to and including Tuesday, 8 January, 2008.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

NOTES :

(i) Citing Commissioner
a) for live televised European Challenge Cup games a Citing Commissioner will be appointed by ERC 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.
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