The Disciplinary process related to Ruben Schoeman's Red Card in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 7 game against Dragons RFC on Saturday, December 2 has resulted in a three-game suspension.
After an act of foul play by Emirates Lions player No. 4 (Ruben Schoeman), referee Andrea Piardi showed the Player a Red Card in the 24th minute of the game under Law 9.25 – A player must not intentionally charge or obstruct an opponent who has just kicked the ball
In the Player’s responses to the Panel overseeing the disciplinary process (Roddy MacLeod, Chair (SRU), Gary Gordon (SRU), Gordon Black (IRFU)), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but it was argued that the act warranted only a Yellow Card. The Panel considered the degree of danger and found that the Player had not established that the Referee was wrong to issue a Red Card. As there was admitted contact with the head of the victim player, this resulted in an entry point of mid-range warranting six weeks. The Player received three weeks (50%) mitigation due to his acceptance of foul play, remorse and apology and his full engagement and participation in the disciplinary process. This results in a three-game suspension.
Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.
Fixtures Ruben Schoeman is unavailable for:
Perpignan v Emirates Lions 10 December 2023, EPCR Challenge Cup
Emirates Lions v Newcastle Falcons 16 December 2023, EPCR Challenge Cup
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Emirates Lions 6 January 2024, Vodacom URC