Hanekom citing dismissed, free to play for Bulls

Vodacom Bulls flanker Cameron Hanekom is free to play after the citing complaint against him was dismissed by a EPCR Disciplinary Committee panel on Thursday.

Hanekom didn’t accept that a tip tackle that earned him a yellow card against Northampton Saints in the quarterfinal of the Investec Champions Cup was worthy of a red, and the panel found the same after an enquiry.

“A citing complaint against the Vodacom Bulls No 8, Cameron Hanekom, arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup quarterfinal match against Northampton Saints at the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, has been dismissed following an independent Disciplinary Hearing,” a statement by the EPCR said.

Hanekom was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Stuart Morgan-Scott, for allegedly tackling the Northampton Saints centre, Fraser Dingwall, in a dangerous manner in the 49th minute in contravention of Law 9.18.

Law 9.18 states a player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.18 carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 6 weeks; Mid-range: 10 weeks; Top end: 14 to 52 weeks

An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) and Bogdan Zebega (Romania) studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence and submissions from Hanekom, who admitted that he had committed an act of foul play but who did not accept that it warranted a red card, from the player’s legal representative, Attie Heyns, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

“The committee determined that Hanekom had committed an act of foul play by tackling Dingwall in a dangerous manner as alleged by the match Citing Commissioner, however, it decided that the player’s actions did not warrant a red card and the complaint was therefore dismissed.

“Hanekom is free to play immediately and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”

OSPRYES PROP BOTHA BANNED FOR THREE GAMES

Meanwhile, prop Tom Botha, who was cited for a dangerous tackle in the Ospreys loss to Gloucester in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal, was handed a three-week suspension.

Botha was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Mihai Irimia (Romania), for tackling the Gloucester Rugby centre, Seb Atkinson, in a dangerous manner in the 12th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 states a player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously

Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 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 Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), Chair, Donal Courtney (Ireland), and Martyn Wood (England) studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence and submissions from Botha, who admitted that he had committed an act of foul play but who did not accept that it warranted a red card, from the Ospreys Team Manager, Dai Davies, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan,” the EPCR statement said.

“The committee determined that Botha had tackled Atkinson in a dangerous and reckless manner that warranted a red card, and therefore, the citing complaint was upheld.

“It was decided that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. Taking into account the player’s admission of foul play and his clear disciplinary record, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 per cent before imposing a three-week suspension.”

Botha is free to play on Monday, 13 May, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 29 April.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.