Scotland's Stafford McDowall banned for 'reckless contact with the eye'

Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Stafford McDowall has been banned for three weeks after making ‘reckless’ contact with the eye of Toulon’s Facundo Isa on Sunday in the Investec Champions Cup.

The 26-year-old was cited following Glasgow’s narrow loss at the Stade Mayol, and attended a hearing on Thursday where he admitted to ‘reckless contact with the eye,’ as opposed to ‘intentional contact with the eye’ or ‘contact with the eye’.

Though there was a potential 208-week ban for a severe case, an independent disciplinary committee of Antony Davies (England, Chair), Ken Owens (Wales) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) deemed it to be a low-end offence, which carries a six-week ban, though it was determined that it did warrant a red card.

However, due to McDowall’s good disciplinary record and acceptance of the charge, the ban has been halved, meaning he can return for his club’s Champions Cup round four clash with Harlequins.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Glasgow

33 - 14

Full-time

Edinburgh

All Stats and Data

Ahead of the hearing, Glasgow assistant coach Peter Murchie defended his player, saying: “Knowing Stafford, he is certainly not a malicious player. Obviously it’s a disappointment from his side.”

Elsewhere, France and Stade Francais back-row Sekou Macalou has also received a three-week ban for his red card tackle on Saracens scrum-half Ivan van Zyl.

The Frenchman also received a six-week ban, but saw it halved due to the mitigating factors that were submitted on the player’s behalf.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup, Zebre full-back Alessandro Fusco has been banned for three weeks following his red card for a dangerous tackle against Lyon, while Black Lion lock Lado Chachanidze has had his red card against the Scarlets dismissed.