Finlay Christie suspended for three weeks
Foul Play Review Committee: Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche, Stephen Hardy
Player: Finlay Christie
Team: Chiefs
Position: Halfback
Date of Incident: 22 April 2017
Nature of Offence: Law 10.4(b) Stamping / Trampling on an Opponent
Elapsed time in match when offence occurred: 41:57
SANZAAR NEWS RELEASE
Finlay Christie suspended for three weeks.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Finlay Christie of the Chiefs for contravening Law 10.4(b) Stamping / Trampling on an Opponent after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.
Christie has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including Friday 19 May.
The incident occurred in the 41st minute of the match between the Force and Chiefs played at NIB Stadium, Perth on 22 April 2017.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Stephen Hardy assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following:
“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, which included an additional video clip, a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 10.4(b).”
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. The Committee viewed the Player’s action as reckless and although as a result of that action the Player made contact with the forehead of the opponent, such contact was made with a comparative lack of force (the opponent thought that his head had been “stood on”) and resulted in a grazing of the skin and no laceration. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s youth and inexperience, his excellent disciplinary record, his contrition and his early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks.”
“The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including the Friday 19 May.”
All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
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