A Disciplinary Hearing will be held in Dublin on Thursday, 22 December 2011 as a result of the red card issued to the Harlequins player, Will Skinner (No 7), during the Heineken Cup, Pool 6 match against Toulouse at Le Stadium on Sunday, 18 December 2011
Skinner was shown a red card in the 79th minute of the match by referee, Alain Rolland (Ireland), for an act contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of Law 10.4(m) in that he played the match ball illegally in the Technical Zone.
Pat Barriscale (Ireland) has been appointed as the independent Judicial Officer to hear this matter.
ERC's Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor, has also confirmed that he is investigating a similar incident in the Harlequins Technical Zone from earlier in the match.
Law 10.4(m) Acts which are contrary to good sportsmanship
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's 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 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(m), go to www.irb.com