An independent Disciplinary Committee convened in Glasgow today (Wednesday 19 December) to consider the sanction following the sending off of Mamouka Magrakvelidze, the Auch prop forward (No 1) in the European Challenge Cup Pool 1 match against Overmach Rugby Parma on Saturday, 15 December.
The player was sent off by Welsh referee James Jones in the 50th minute of the Round 4 match for punching an opponent.
The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprised Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and John Doubleday (England).
After considering the evidence available, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the offence was of the low end in the level of seriousness. Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the Committee suspended Mr. Magrakvelidze for a period of two (2) weeks, from the date of the match Saturday, 15 December up to and including Sunday, 30 December, 2007.
Both parties have the right to appeal.
Notes:
(i) Red Cards
a) The case of any player sent off in the Heineken Cup or European Challenge Cup game shall be adjudicated by an independent Disciplinary Committee as soon as is practicable.
b) Until the hearing the player is ineligible to play in any tournament.
(ii) Independent Disciplinary Committee
a) The independent Disciplinary Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
b) The ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor, presents the case against the player
c) 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
d) The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee will be available on www.ercrugby.com/discipline when the disciplinary process is complete
