The DHL Stormers second row, Adre Smith (No 19), has been suspended for one week following the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee arising from the Investec Champions Cup Round 1 match between Aviron Bayonnais and DHL Stormers at Stade Jean Dauger on Friday, 5 December.
Smith was sent off by the referee, Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), in the 53rd minute of the match for stamping on the Aviron Bayonnais prop, Swan Cormenier (No 17), in contravention of Law 9.12.
Law 9.12 A player must not stamp on an opponent
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12, stamping or trampling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range: 6 weeks/matches; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks/matches
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Benjamin Rutherford (Ireland, Chair), Bogdan Zebega (Romania), and Chris Morgan (Wales) heard the case via video conference yesterday, Monday, 8 December. The Committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
Smith accepted that he had committed a reckless act, but he did not accept that it warranted a red card.
The independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the player was guilty of a deliberate stamp on the player on the ground and it upheld the red card. It was then decided that the offending was at the low-end of World Rugby’s sanctions, and two weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account the player’s good disciplinary record and the fact that he accepted he had committed an act of foul play, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by one week before imposing a one-week suspension.
Smith is free to play again on Monday, 15 December. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.