Argentina tighthead Juan Figallo has been suspended for three weeks for head-butting France captain Pascal Pape.
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Figallo on Wednesday appeared before independent IRB-appointed Judicial Officer Roger Morris (Wales), having been cited for an alleged strike of Pape with the head during France’s 39-22 win in Lille last Saturday.
In upholding the citing, the strike with the head, contrary to Law 10.4(a), was deemed by Morris to be better categorised under Law 10.4(h), charging into a ruck or maul.
An IRB statement read: “He [Morris] found the incident to be at the mid-range of IRB sanctions, after he had viewed various angles of the incident and listened to representations by the player, his forwards coach, team manager and legal representative.
“From the entry point of five weeks, the Judicial Officer applied no additional sanction for any aggravating factors but allowed the maximum two weeks of mitigation, to reflect the player’s exemplary previous disciplinary record and his conduct at the hearing.”
A sanction of three weeks was duly imposed with Figallo suspended until December 10.