France's Fabrice Estebanez has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle in the Pool A defeat to Tonga on Saturday.
Estebanez was cited by Independent Citing Commissioner Steve Hinds under Law 10.4(j) for a ‘dangerous tip tackle’ on Tonga substitute Joseph Tuineau in the second half of Les Bleus' 19-14 Pool A defeat in Wellington.The case was heard in Auckland today by the independent judicial officer Christopher Quinlan QC of England and while he was found to be guilty, he was only hit with a three-week suspension.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the evidence available, including all broadcast angles and submissions from his legal representative, the judicial officer upheld the citing under law 10(4)(j)," a statement from Rugby World Cup Limited read."With respect to the sanction, the offence was deemed to be mid-range, which has an entry point of six weeks."However, taking into account mitigating factors, including his admission and good character and the absence of aggravating factors, the player was suspended for a period of three weeks."
Estebanez has 48 hours in which to lodge an appeal but as things stand he will miss the rest of the World Cup.France could do with having Estebanez available for Saturday's quarter-final showdown with England as Aurelien Rougerie is a major doubt due to a dislocated shoulder, while captain Thierry Dusautoir is also struggling with a shoulder problem - http://www.setanta.com
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