An independent Disciplinary Committee convened in Dublin today (Friday, 11 April) to consider the sanction following the sending off of Viliami Vaki, the Perpignan back row forward (No 6)...

... in the Heineken Cup quarter-final match against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, 5 April.

The player was sent off by Irish referee Alain Rolland in the 79th minute for punching an opponent.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Antony Davies (England) and also comprised Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and George Spotswood (Ireland).

After considering the evidence available, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the offence was of the low end in the level of seriousness. Having taken into account what the Committee considered to be compelling mitigating factors the Committee suspended Mr. Vaki for a period of one (1) week, from the date of the match Saturday, 5 April up to and including Saturday 12 April, 2008.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

Notes To Editors
(i) Red Cards
a) The case of any player sent off in the Heineken Cup or European Challenge Cup game shall be adjudicated by an independent Disciplinary Committee as soon as is practicable.
b) Until the hearing the player is ineligible to play in any tournament.
(ii) Independent Disciplinary Committee
a) The independent Disciplinary Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
b) The ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor, presents the case against the player
c) Both parties to the hearing (ERC and the player) 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
d) The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee will be available on www.ercrugby.com/discipline when the disciplinary process is complete.