Gumede banned for the rest of the year

Vodacom Bulls loose forward Celimpilo Gumede has been handed a three- week ban and won’t play another game for his side for the rest of the year.

Gumede was red-carded for reacting to being held by Connacht scrumhalf Caolin Blade during the Bulls Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Galway on Saturday night, and pushed Blade in the face, prompting the scrumhalf to claim eye gouging.

While the TMO ruled this out, referee Mike Adamson said because it was in the eye area, it warranted a red card.

Gumede accepted this and pleaded guilty to the charge, hence the reduced ban.

“After an act of foul play by Vodacom Bulls player No 8 (Mpilo Gumede), referee Mike Adamson showed the Player a Red Card in the 58th minute of the game under Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone,” a press release from the United Rugby Championship said.

“Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking. In this instance reckless contact with the eyes.

“In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Mr Declan Goodwin), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Mr Goodwin found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with a low-end entry point warranting a six-week suspension. The Player received three weeks (50 per cent) mitigation due to his immediate apology, full engaged participation in the disciplinary process and good record which results in a three game suspension.

FIXTURES MPILO GUDEDE IS UNAVAILABLE FOR:

Saracens v Vodacom Bulls, 7 December 2024, Investec Champions Cup

Vodacom Bulls v Northampton Saints, 14 December 2024, Investec Champions Cup

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Vodacom Bulls, 21 December 2024, Vodacom URC