Pavanello suspended for two weeks

The complaint was made by Citing Commissioner, John Cole (Ireland), for an alleged stamp on the Saracens forward, Jackson Wray (No 8), in contravention of Law 10.4(b) during the first half of the match at Stadio Comunale Monigo.
The independent Judicial Officer, Pat Barriscale (Ireland), heard evidence and submissions from Pavanello, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from Benetton Treviso Chief Executive, Vittorio Munari, and from ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor.
Employing the IRB recommended sanctions for Law 10.4(b), the Judicial Officer decided that the offence was at the low-end entry point of two (2) weeks, and he imposed a suspension of two (2) weeks.
Pavanello will be free to play on Monday, 6 February. Both the player and ERC have the right to appeal the decision.

Law 10.4(b) A player must not stamp or trample on an opponent
Under the IRB Recommended Sanctions for Offences Committed within the Playing Enclosure, Law 10.4(b) carries the following penalties: Low End: 2 weeks; Mid Range: 5 weeks; Top End: 9+ to 52 weeks.

NOTES TO EDITORS

i) Citing Commissioner

a) Citing Commissioners are appointed by ERC for all Heineken Cup and all televised Amlin Challenge Cup matches and shall be entitled to cite a Player for any act or acts of Foul Play that in the Citing Commissioner's opinion warranted a citing.
b) For such matches Clubs will not have the power to cite a player but may refer incidents to the Citing Commissioner within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match.
c) The Citing Commissioner will have 50 hours from the start of the game to make a citing. In exceptional circumstances this deadline can be extended.
d) The ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor,may forward the submitted Citing to a Citing Officer to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for the citing to progress.
e) The Disciplinary Officer will then bring a charge against the cited player.

ii) Disciplinary Hearing

a) Citing hearings will be heard by an independent Judicial Officer as soon as is practicable. Until the hearing a cited player is eligible to play in ERC tournaments.
b) The independent Judicial Officer is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
c) ERC's Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor, presents the case against the player
d) 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 business days of receiving the full written decision from the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Committee.