Newcastle Falcons fullback Elliott Obatoyinbo suspended for three weeks

Newcastle Falcons full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo has been handed a three-week suspension following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Heineken Champions Cup game against Cardiff Rugby.

The 24-year-old was sent-off in the 40th minute of the game by referee Vivien Praderie for a dangerous tackle on Cardiff wing Jason Harries.

The absence of Obatoyinbo proved costly for Newcastle as they succumbed to a 10-42 defeat in the encounter and are languishing at the bottom of Pool A with three losses from as many games.

He faced a disciplinary hearing chaired by an independent Judicial Officer Pat Barriscale (Ireland) and was charged with a breach of World Rugby Law 9.13.

Obatoyinbo was initially handed a six-week ban and was handed a full mitigation taking into account his guilty plea, conduct during hearing and other factors reducing his suspension period by 50%.

Nevertheless, his ban can be reduced to two weeks and will be free to resume playing by 6th February if he successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention programme.