Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi handed two-week suspension

Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi has been banned for two games following an incident in the recently concluded Heineken Champions Cup game against Bordeaux Begles.

Mapimpi was cited by citing commissioner Brian Campsall for making contact with Maxime Lucu’s eye in the 36th minute of the game.

The 32-year-old faced EPCR's independent disciplinary committee comprising of Antony Davies (England), Leon Lloyd (England) and Donal Courtney (Ireland) and was handed a low end of World Rugby’s sanctions of four week suspension that was reduced by half taking into account the mitigating factors.

“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding Mapimpi had made reckless contact with Lucu’s eye area, which warranted a red card, and it determined the offending was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point,” the EPCR said.

“Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a two-week suspension.”

He will now miss the Champions Cup match against Harlequins at London’s Twickenham Stoop on Saturday and the United Rugby Championship clash with Edinburgh.