Available for the Six Nations: Ronan O'Gara
Munster fly-half Ronan O'Gara will miss Sunday's crunch Heineken Cup clash with Racing Metro after being handed a one-week suspension for foul play by an ERC disciplinary panel in Dublin on Thursday.
The Irish international was found guilty of kicking Edinburgh lock Sean Cox during the 26-17 win at Murrayfield last weekend.
It was feared that O'Gara could be hit with a lengthy punishment for the offence which usually carries a minimum ban of four weeks but the disciplinary panel decided a one-week ban would suffice, meaning the Test veteran will be eligible for Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales on 2 February.
Under the IRB's sanctioning regime for foul play, which ERC is obliged to follow, the entry points for a breach of Law 10.4(c) where a player kicks an opponent, are 4 weeks (lower end), 8 weeks (mid range) and 12 weeks up to 52 weeks (top end).
But the independent Judicial Officer, Judge Jeff Blackett (England), found that O'Gara, who pleaded guilty, had committed a petulant act which was out of character.
He determined that the act was in the lower end (4 weeks) of the IRB's sanctioning regime and taking into account the player's guilty plea and his good disciplinary record, the Judicial Officer reduced the suspension by 50 per cent.
Judge Blackett then determined that a two-week suspension would be wholly disproportionate to the level of offending as O'Gara had been body-checked by Cox prior to the incident. He also accepted that O'Gara had intended to trip rather than to kick Cox.
As there were no aggravating factors, he imposed a suspension of one week.
O'Gara will be free to play on 21 January 2013.
Both the player and ERC have the right to appeal the decision.
Comments
Celtictenor says...
probably the right punishment, though it has seemed to me that petty petulance is very much in RO'G's character
Posted 19:40 17th January 2013
BiggyFint says...
Brilliant from an Ireland perspective. A true legend. Totally out of character.
Posted 19:04 17th January 2013
froggy73 says...
A joke as usual. 4 weeks for Estebanez, 1 week for Lady O'Gara. The mascarade goes on and on.
Posted 18:47 17th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Ridiculous! It should have been at least 4, it's not out of character...he's got a hell of a temper on him. Either way the incident may have been a result of a 'petulant act' but that doesn't change that he committed foul (not to mention cowardly) play.
Posted 18:29 17th January 2013
THESKUTCH says...
This is a farce. His act of cowardice should have been hit with a lenghty fine. No place in the game.
Posted 18:13 17th January 2013
irishinlondon says...
probably the right decision considering the incident, however wish it was more so O'Gara would learn but then old dogs etc. Hope this does not mean he will be in the Irish match day squad as his form this year is shaky at best
Posted 17:46 17th January 2013
rockman says...
one week is a joke!
Posted 17:24 17th January 2013