An independent Appeal Committee will convene in London on Wednesday, 12 November 2008, to hear the appeal lodged by Marius Tincu...

... the Perpignan hooker (No 2), against the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee.

The independent Appeal Committee will be chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprise Achille Reali (Italy) and Chris Quinlan (England)

The original independent Disciplinary Committee (Tuesday, 4 November 2008) found Marius Tincu guilty of foul play in that he had made contact with the eye / eye area of Paul James in contravention of Law 10.4 (k) during the Round 2 Heineken Cup Pool 3 match against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, 18 October, 2008.

The Disciplinary Committee determined that the offence was of the top-end of the level of seriousness and having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the Committee suspended the player for a period of eighteen (18) weeks running up to and including Monday, 9 March, 2009.

Independent Appeal Committee
a) Following a decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee, both the Club/player and ERC have the right to appeal the decision of the Committee.
b) The independent Appeal Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
c) None of the members of the independent Disciplinary Committee who issued the decision being challenged in the appeal may sit on the independent Appeal Committee.
d) )The full written decision of the independent Appeal Committee will be available on www.ercrugby.com/disciplinenews when the disciplinary process is complete.