Emirates Lions flanker Emmanuel Tshituka has received a three-week ban, stemming from his red card received in his side’s victory over the French club Racing 92 in their EPCR Challenge Cup playoff game last Saturday.
Tshituka burst away in a clean break on Saturday but then in the process of fending off Racing 92 fullback Louis Dupichot, hit the fullback on the jaw with his elbow, prompting the referee to give him a red card for the incident.
Tshituka appeared in front of an independent Disciplinary hearing on Monday night and was given the three-week ban.
“Tshituka was sent off by the referee, Karl Dickson (England), in the 18th minute of the match for striking the Racing 92 full back, Louis Dupichot, with his forearm in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.11,” an EPCR statement said.
“Law 9.11 Reckless or dangerous play – leading with the elbow or forearm
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 relating to dangerous play, leading with the forearm, carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.”
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Samantha Hillas KC (England), Chair, Mitchell Read (England) and Yannick Jauzion (France), heard submissions by video conference from Tshituka, from the player’s legal representative, Marius Botha, from the Emirates Lions Team Manager, Tracy van Ginkel, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
“The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that Tshituka had been guilty of a reckless act of foul play. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his timely apology to Dupichot, the committee reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.?
“Tshituka is free to play on Monday 24 April, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday 17 April. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
That means he will definitely miss the EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday evening and the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Leinster at Emirates Airline Park next weekend, but could be back in time for the Lions final URC game against Zebre.