Misconduct complaint – Timisoara Saracens EPCR has lodged a misconduct complaint against Timisoara Saracens following the cancellation of the Romanian club’s Challenge Cup, Round 4 fixture against Northampton Saints on Saturday, 15 December 2018. The misconduct complaint is that Timisoara Saracens did not take all appropriate steps to prepare and protect the playing surface at the Dan Paltinisanu Stadium in contravention of the Tournament Rules of the 2018/19 Challenge Cup Participation Agreement. As a consequence, and as there was no suitable alternative venue, the match could not be played on the scheduled date and at the appointed kick-off time. Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland), Chair, Philippe Cavalieros (France) and Val Toma (Romania) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee to consider the complaint tomorrow (Friday, 21 December). Appeal Hearing – Andrei Ostrikov (Sale Sharks) The Sale Sharks player, Andrei Ostrikov, has lodged an appeal against the four-week suspension imposed on him by an independent Disciplinary Committee after he was sent off for foul play during his club’s Challenge Cup, Round 3 match against Bordeaux-Bègles at Stade Chaban-Delmas. The independent Disciplinary Committee upheld the red card decision by the match referee, Ian Davies (Wales), and found that Ostrikov had struck the Bordeaux-Bègles centre, Jean-Baptiste Dubié, with his arm in contravention of Law 9.12. The appeal will be heard by video conference tomorrow (Friday, 21 December) by an independent Appeal Committee consisting of Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland), Chair, Philippe Cavalieros (France) and Val Toma (Romania). Notes (i) Misconduct complaint a) Independent Disciplinary Committees are chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Mike Hamlin. b) EPCR's Disciplinary Officer presents the case against the club/individual. c) Both parties to the hearing (EPCR and the club/individual) have the right to appeal decisions of the independent Disciplinary Committee. Appeals must be lodged within three working days of receiving the full written decision from the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Committee. d) The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee will be available on epcrugby.com/discipline/hearing-decisions when the disciplinary process is complete. (ii) Independent Appeal Committee a) Following the decision(s) of an independent Disciplinary Committee and/or an independent Judicial Officer, all parties (the club, player(s), individuals and EPCR) have the right to appeal the decision(s). b) The independent Appeal Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Mike Hamlin. c) Members of the independent Disciplinary Committee or the independent Judicial Officer who issued the decision(s) being challenged by the appeal may not sit on the independent Appeal Committee. d) The full written decision of the Appeal Committee will be available on epcrugby.com/discipline/hearing-decisions at a later date when it has been completed and issued to all parties.