Cetransa El Salvador have pleaded guilty to a misconduct complaint brought against them by ERC for playing an unregistered player (David Martin) in the Amlin Challenge Cup 2010/11 Round 4 match against Petrarca Rugby on 19 December, 2010.
The game, played at Campo de Pepe Rojo was won 37-16 by Cetransa El Salvador (4 match points to nil).
Following an independent Disciplinary Hearing, the independent Judicial Officer, HHJ Jeff Blackett, upheld the misconduct complaint in that Mr Martin had not been registered by Cetransa El Salvador to play in the Amlin Challenge Cup. However, he accepted that the club had not intentionally committed a breach of the tournament regulations.
He found that the match result was void and awarded five match points for the Amlin Challenge Cup 2010/11 season to Petrarca Rugby. He also deducted five match points from Cetransa El Salvador's Amlin Challenge Cup points for the season 2010/11.
Judge Blackett fined Cetransa El Salvador €5,000, which is suspended until the conclusion of the current Amlin Challenge Cup season. The fine will only be payable if, within that period, the club is found to have committed any further misconduct.
Notes:
Independent Disciplinary Hearing
a) The independent Judicial Officer is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
b) Both parties to the hearing (ERC and the player) have the right to appeal decisions of the independent Disciplinary Hearing. Appeals must be lodged within 72 hours of receiving the full written decision of the independent Judicial Officer.
c) The full written decision of the independent Judicial Officer will be available on www.ercrugby.com/disciplinenews when the disciplinary process is complete
