Disciplinary update Naya Tappar decision
Naya Tappar, the USA women’s winger, appeared today (by video conference) before an independent Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Chair of the Six Nations Disciplinary Panel, having been cited by an independent Citing Commissioner for allegedly kicking an opponent in contravention of Law 10.4(c) in the women’s Autumn International between France and USA at Montpellier on Friday 25 November 2016.
Ms Tappar did not accept that she had committed an act of foul play. The Disciplinary Committee, chaired by HHJ Sean Enright, alongside Paula Carter JP (both England), sitting in London (Heathrow), viewed video footage of the incident, listened to evidence and representations from and on behalf of the player, and reviewed all of the other evidence. The Disciplinary Committee found that Ms Tappar had committed an act of foul play but that she had done so recklessly rather than intentionally. The Disciplinary Committee further found and that the offending merited a lower-end entry point based on World Rugby’s scale of seriousness, which carries a four-week playing suspension. The Disciplinary Committee determined that there were no aggravating factors and that there were some mitigating factors such that her playing suspension be reduced by one week.
Ms Tappar was therefore suspended from playing rugby for a total of three weeks. In light of Ms Tappar’s forthcoming playing schedule (including many matches in international sevens tournaments), the Disciplinary Committee imposed a suspension covering the entirety of the forthcoming World Rugby’s Dubai Sevens tournament, and she will be free to play again as of 3 December 2016, when that tournament has been completed.
Ms Tappar was reminded of her right of appeal.
Related Posts
« Bok Women’s Sevens ready for action in Dubai RFU Disciplinary Hearing: Kieran Brookes & Calum Green »
