An independent Appeal Committee convened in Dublin today (Wednesday, 6 February) to hear the appeal lodged by Alexandre Audebert, the ASM Clermont Auvergne flanker, against the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee.
The original independent Disciplinary Committee (Thursday, 24 January) found Mr Audebert guilty of stamping on Munster player Ronan O'Gara during the Round 5 Heineken Cup Pool 5 match against Munster at Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin on Sunday, 13 January, 2008.
The independent Disciplinary Committee determined the offence was of the top end in the level of seriousness and 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.
The independent Appeal Committee, was chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprised Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and Russell Howell (Wales).
It was the view of the independent Appeal Committee that there was no error in the decision of the original independent Disciplinary Committee and accordingly the Appeal Committee dismissed the appeal and upheld the suspension.
Independent Appeal Committee
a) The independent Appeal Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
b) None of the members of the independent Disciplinary Committee who issued the decision being challenged in the appeal may sit on the independent Appeal Committee
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