George Earle
Cardiff Blues lock George Earle has been banned for eight weeks after being sent off in their European Challenge Cup defeat by Bath.
South African Earle made contact with the eye area of Bath flanker Tom Ellis in the second half of the 38-3 loss.
The first game the 29-year-old will miss is the Pro12 home derby with Newport Gwent Dragons on 26 December.
Earle pleaded not guilty to the charge, but a disciplinary panel ruled he had committed the offence.
He – and tournament organisers – can appeal against the decision.
Earle is next free to play on Monday, 13 February, 2017.
Among the other cases to be heard on Wednesday, Worcester flanker Sam Betty will discover his fate after being sent off for striking an opponent during their Challenge Cup defeat by Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.
George Earle devastated about red card
Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson says George Earle’s sending off in the European Challenge Cup defeat by Bath was harsh.
South African Earle was sent off after making contact with the eye area of Bath flanker Tom Ellis early in the second half of the 38-3 loss.
But Wilson believes the contact was accidental and that TV replays misled the officials.
“I don’t think there’s any intent to go for his eyes or any foul play in that.
“He’s come to me straight afterwards and said ‘I certainly wasn’t going for any face or eyes, that’s not me’.
“It doesn’t help when it’s slowed down and freeze framed and it makes it look like his on his face for a period of time.
“He’s fighting to try and get through a maul. His head is down in the maul and once in that split second his hand is anywhere near his face he’s moved it away.
“But I know laws are laws and if his hand is on his face and it’s slowed down and made to look like it’s on there for a period of time then the referee’s put in a difficult predicament.
“It’s now happened and we’ve got to deal with it.”
Bath ended Blues’ 100% start in the Challenge Cup with a comfortable win at The Rec and are joint leaders of Pool Four.
“Up until the red card I was reasonably pleased – we were away from home and being very competitive,” Wilson said.
“Ultimately the game was decided on the red card giving us a very difficult position to defend against a good Bath team.
“We go into the last two matches now with all to play for.”
bbc
Not good for Earle, looking at the footage what are the thoughts? Did he gouge, if so was it intentional, is the ban too long/not long enough? Regardless of that his interaction with the ref on his way off doesn’t look great and too often some rugby folk get on their high horse about how footballers are with refs…