La Rochelle prop Georges-Henri Colombe handed four-week ban

Georges-Henri Colombe was yellow carded during the game against Gloucester
Georges-Henri Colombe was yellow carded during the game against Gloucester
©PA

La Rochelle prop Georges-Henri Colombe has been handed a four-week suspension following his yellow card incident in the recently concluded Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Gloucester.

The 24-year-old was sin-binned during the recently concluded Heineken Champions Cup game against Gloucester for a dangerous tackle on Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann.

He was cited by citing commissioner Beth Dickens and faced an independent disciplinary committee comprising of Antony Davies (England, chair), Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Frank Hadden (Scotland) and was proved guilty of breaching law 9.11.

Colombe was handed a six-week suspension initially which was reduced by two weeks taking into conduct his previous disciplinary record, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors.

“The panel viewed footage of the incident and heard evidence by video conference from Colombe, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.

“The committee also heard submissions from Stade Rochelais director of rugby Ronan O’Gara, from Stade Rochelais sporting director Robert Mohr, and from EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan. The club’s legal representative, Yves-Marie Feve, was also present during the hearing.

“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Colombe had committed a reckless act of foul play. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

“Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his timely apology to Ackermann, the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.

“If Stade Rochelais qualify for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final, Colombe will be free to play on Monday, May 1. However, if Stade Rochelais do not qualify for a semi-final, he will be free to play on Monday, May 8. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”

 
 
 
 

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