A Disciplinary Hearing will be held in Dublin on Thursday, 22 December 2011 as a result of the red card issued to the Benetton Treviso player, Francesco Minto (No 6), during the Heineken Cup, Pool 5 match against Biarritz Olympique at Parc des Sports Aguilera on Friday, 16 December 2011.
The red card was issued to Minto in the 24th minute of the first half by referee, Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), for striking the Biarritz Olympique scrum half, Yann Lesgourgues (No 9), with the head in contravention of Law 10.4(a).
Jeremy Summers (England) has been appointed as the independent Judicial Officer to hear this matter.
Law 10.4(a) Striking an opponent with the head
Under the IRB Recommended Sanctions for Offences Committed within the Playing Enclosure, Law 10.4(a), carries the following penalties: Lower End: 4 weeks; Mid Range: 8 weeks; Top End: 12+ to 52 weeks
Notes
(i) Red Cards
a) The case of any player sent off in the Heineken Cup or Amlin Challenge Cup game shall be adjudicated by an independent Judicial Officer as soon as is practicable.
b) Until the hearing the player is ineligible to play in any tournament.
(ii) Disciplinary Hearing
a) The independent Judicial Officer is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
b) ERC'sDisciplinary 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 Hearing. Appeals must be lodged within 3 working days of receiving the full written decision of the independent Judicial Officer.
d) The full written decision of the independent Judicial Officer will be available on www.ercrugby.com/disciplinenews when the disciplinary process is complete
e) For IRB recommended sanctions for offences committed within the playing enclosure, Law 10.4(a), go to www.irb.com