Glasgow scrum-half Nikola Matawalu has been cleared of biting Munster lock forward Donncha O’Callaghan in last Friday’s PRO12 game at Scotstoun.The PRO12 released the following statement:
“Nikola Matawalu, the Glasgow Warriors scrum half, appeared before an independent RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Committee in Cardiff having been cited by the independent Citing Commissioner for an alleged incident of foul play (biting an opponent, Munster’s Donncha O’Callaghan, contrary to Law 10.4(m)), arising from the RaboDirect PRO12 match between Glasgow Warriors and Munster Rugby on Friday 25th October 2013.
“The Committee, chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) alongside Rhian Williams (Wales) and Marco Cordelli (Italy), heard evidence and submissions on behalf the Disciplinary Officer and Mr Matawalu.
“After a hearing lasting three-and-a-half hours, the committee found, on the balance of probabilities, that while Mr Matawalu’s teeth had come into contact with Mr O’Callaghan’s arm, causing injury, this contact was accidental and therefore not an act of foul play. Accordingly, the citing was dismissed.
“The Committee said that they had been impressed with the evidence given by all concerned, including Messrs O’Callaghan and Matawalu, and that they had no doubt that the citing commissioner was right to bring the complaint. Nikola Matawalu is free to resume playing immediately.”
Conor Murray
Earlier in the day the citing committee decided the Munster scrum-half Conor Murray should not be banned.
Murray was cited for striking with the elbow during last Friday’s game at Scotstoun.
He faced a possible ban of up to eight weeks, but the citing committee found that, while an act of foul play was committed, it was not a red card offence. Murray is free to resume playing immediately.
Murray had been cited by the independent Citing Commissioner for an alleged incident of foul play (striking an opponent, contrary to Law 10.4 (a) )