Newcastle Falcons hooker Charlie Maddison suspended for three weeks

Newcastle Falcons hooker Charlie Maddison has been handed a three-week suspension following the latest EPCR disciplinary hearing.

The 31-year-old was cited by citing commissioner Kay Winter-Green (Wales) following the encounter for a dangerous tackle on Connacht scrum-half Caolin Blade.

Maddison faced an independent disciplinary hearing with the panel comprising of Owen Rhys James (Wales), Chair, Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Piergiorgo Della Porta (Italy).

The panel deemed that Maddison's act was a breach of World Rugby Law 9.12 and warranted a red card. He was initially handed a six-week suspension that was reduced by half taking into account his guilty plea, conduct during the hearing and other mitigating factors.

He will now miss Newcastle's games against Cardiff, Sale Sharks and Bath and will be free to resume playing from 2nd Janaury.