Sale Sharks wing Denny Solomona has been handed a four-week ban after he was found guilty of verbal abuse in his side's match against Worcester Warriors.
Solomona appeared before an RFU disciplinary hearing on Wednesday evening, charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union or the game, contrary to RFU Rule 5.12.
The incident occurred in the second half of the Premiership match on Saturday, March 24. Solomona allegedly verbally abused Worcester fly-half Jamie Shillcock.
Solomona contested the charge but was found guilty by the three-person independent panel.
He was given a four-week suspension and is free to play again on May 8, 2018, taking into account Sale Sharks’ upcoming fixtures.
Panel chair Samantha Hillas said: “The panel found that the player used language that was verbally abusive on more than one occasion in quick succession.
“The comments were offensive and have no place on the rugby field. However, the panel accepted that they were said in the heat of the moment, rather than premeditated.
“For these reasons, the panel deemed it was a low-end entry point, which carries a six-week suspension as a starting point.
“The player did not accept the charge but all other mitigating features were present. The panel therefore reduced the sanction to four weeks.”
The panel comprised Samantha Hillas (chair) with Leon Lloyd and Tony Wheat.
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