Chiefs scrum-half Finlay Christie has been suspended for three weeks for foul play during his side's Super Rugby clash with the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Christie for contravening Law 10.4(b) Stamping / Trampling on an Opponent, after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.
Christie has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including Friday 19 May.
The incident occurred in the 41st minute of the match between which the Chiefs won 16-7.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton (chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Stephen Hardy assessed the case.
In his finding, Hampton ruled the following:
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, which included an additional video clip, a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 10.4(b).
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. The Committee viewed the Player's action as reckless and although as a result of that action the Player made contact with the forehead of the opponent, such contact was made with a comparative lack of force (the opponent thought that his head had been "stood on") and resulted in a grazing of the skin and no laceration.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's youth and inexperience, his excellent disciplinary record, his contrition and his early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."
"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including the Friday 19 May.”
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