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Stamp and controversial 20-minute red results in ban for Stormers lock
By Josh Raisey
Stormers lock Adre Smith has been banned for one match following his 20-minute red card for stamping against Bayonne in the Investec Champions Cup on Friday.
The 28-year-old was dismissed by referee Nika Amashukeli within seconds of coming on as a replacement at the Stade Jean-Dauger for stamping on prop Swan Cormenier in a maul.
The incident was only deemed worthy of a 20-minute red card, as the TMO decided it was not done with enough force to warrant a straight red, and Amashukeli added that it was not to the upper body.
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In a disciplinary hearing on Monday, Smith disagreed that it warranted a red card, although he did admit that it was reckless.
The panel, however, decided to uphold the red card, but determined that it was at the low-end of World Rugby’s sanctions, with a two-week ban being the entry point. The lock’s good disciplinary record and acceptance of foul play resulted in the ban being reduced by a further week, meaning he will miss Saturday’s clash with two-time champions La Rochelle on Saturday.
An EPCR statement reads: “An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Benjamin Rutherford (Ireland, Chair), Bogdan Zebega (Romania), and Chris Morgan (Wales) heard the case via video conference yesterday, Monday, 8 December. The Committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
“Smith accepted that he had committed a reckless act, but he did not accept that it warranted a red card.
“The independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the player was guilty of a deliberate stamp on the player on the ground and it upheld the red card. It was then decided that the offending was at the low-end of World Rugby’s sanctions, and two weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“Taking into account the player’s good disciplinary record and the fact that he accepted he had committed an act of foul play, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by one week before imposing a one-week suspension.
“Smith is free to play again on Monday, 15 December. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
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