An independent Disciplinary Committee heard a citing complaint against Daniel Larrechea, the Sale Sharks full back, in Dublin today.

An independent Disciplinary Committee heard a citing complaint against Daniel Larrechea, the Sale Sharks full back, in Dublin today (Thursday, 8 February), as a result of a citing from the Round 6 Heineken Cup Pool 3 match against the Ospreys at Edgeley Park, on Saturday, 20 January.

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Iain Goodall (Scotland), was for alleged acts contrary to good sportsmanship and in particular contact with the eye / eye area, leading with the head and spitting – contravention of Law 10.4 (k).


The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Mark McParland and also comprised Dr Barry O’Driscoll and George Spotswood (all Ireland). The committee upheld the citing finding that there was contact with the eye / eye area but did not find that the player had spat or led with his head. Mr. Larrechea has been suspended for six weeks up to and including 6 March. The suspension has been backdated to 21 January when Mr. Larrechea was suspended by his club.
Both parties have the right to appeal.


NOTES TO EDITORS:


(i) Citing Commissioner
a) for live televised games a Citing Commissioner will be appointed by ERC and shall be entitled to cite a Player for any act or acts of Foul Play that in the Citing Commissioner’s opinion warranted a citing.
b) Clubs will not have the power to cite a player but may refer incidents to the Citing Commissioner within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match.
c) The Citing Commissioner will have 50 hours from the start of the game to make a citing and the determination of the Citing Commissioner will be final and binding.
d) Should the Citing Commissioner decide there is a case to answer he will notify the Disciplinary Officer and the Disciplinary Officer will then bring a charge against the cited player.
e) This case will then proceed to a disciplinary hearing.


(ii) Citing Officer
a) for games not on live television, where a player is cited by either of the clubs competing in the match, his case shall be immediately referred to the Citing Officer.
b) The citing must be submitted in writing and received by the Citing Officer within 50 hours of the start of the match. The Citing Officer will consider the citing and decide whether the player cited has a case to answer.
c) After this review, if the Citing Officer determines there is no case to answer, no further action will be taken. The determination of the Citing Officer will be final and binding.
d) Should the Citing Officer decide there is a case to answer he will notify the Disciplinary Officer and the Disciplinary Officer will then bring a charge against the cited player.
e) This case will then proceed to a Disciplinary Hearing.


(iii) Independent Disciplinary Committee
a) Citings will be heard by an independent Disciplinary Committee as soon as is practicable. Until the hearing a cited player is eligible to play in ERC tournaments
b) The independent Disciplinary Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
c) The ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O’Connor, presents the case against the player / club
d) Both parties to the hearing (ERC and the player/Club) have the right to appeal decisions of the independent Disciplinary Committee. Appeals must be lodged within 72 hours of receiving the full written decision from the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Committee
e) The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee will be available on www.ercrugby.com/discipline when the disciplinary process is complete