Gloucester centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has been provisionally suspended from all levels of rugby after he failed to attend a World Cup disciplinary hearing in New Zealand.
The Samoan star incurred the wrath of the IRB with post-match criticism of Wales referee Nigel Owens in the wake of his side's World Cup exit against South Africa last weekend.
It was the second time his use of the social network site Twitter got him into hot water at the tournament after alleging bias against Owens.
He failed to appear at the first hearing and so has been suspended until at least a rearranged hearing takes place.
The pacific islanders' exit from the tournament means Gloucester would have been hoping for a return to the domestic game for the 30-year-old.
And the Cherry and Whites will hope once the hearing has been heard that Fuimaono-Sapolu does not receive a ban which will impact on their return to the Heineken Cup which kicks off with a trip to Toulouse on Sunday November 13.