Stade Francais winger Josaia Raisuqe has been suspended for 15 weeks following his sending off in last Saturday's European Champions Cup game against Munster in Paris.
The 21-year-old Fijian-born player was handed a red card by Welsh referee Nigel Owens after making contact with the eye area of Munster captain CJ Stander in the 41st minute of the game. Owens reviewed the incident with the TMO.
Raisuqe faced a disciplinary hearing in Paris on Wednesday under Law 10.4 (m), which has a possible sanction ranging from a low point of 12 weeks to a top end of 24 up to 208 weeks.
A statement released afterwards outlined the disciplinary hearing’s ruling.
“In upholding the red card decision, the Judicial Officer found that Raisuqe had committed an intentional act of foul play. He determined that that offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected 18 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
“He added three weeks as a deterrent according to World Rugby’s memorandum regarding offences of this nature, before reducing the sanction by one third of the entry point (ie. six weeks) due to Raisuqe’s guilty plea, good conduct at the hearing, expression of remorse and youth and inexperience. He then imposed a suspension of 15 weeks.
“Raisuqe is free to play on Monday, 2 May 2016. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
