Gerrit-Jan van Velze: Pleaded guilty
Northampton back row Gerrit-Jan van Velze has received a four-week ban for a tip tackle offence in last week's Aviva Premiership match against Exeter.
He was charged following a report from the independent citing officer Micky Ward.
Van Velze, who pleaded guilty, is suspended from September 12 until October 9 and is free to play again on October 10.
The case appeared before an RFU disciplinary committee and was heard by a panel of John Brennan (chair), Dan White and John Loughton.
Comments
melkdave says...
A very good point APV1 ,but i think he would have been cited anyway .Thats how i read the law on this anyway ,and its most probily how the IRB want it to be interpeted. The question about it potentially ruining a game is a different debate,referees are treading a very thin line really concerning this.Their didnt seem to be any intent,its not like B.Davies offence where intent was clear.Still 4 wk ban seems about right ,it cetinally hurts the Saints and the player ,as his bound to get a club fine on top.
Posted 21:44 12th September 2012
Warrior7 says...
Shame Gonzalo Camacho's tackle on Alex Grove last season wasn't important enough to be cited, if Grove hadn't have put his arm out he would have landed straight on his head due to the reckless tackle...Oh well nothing like sour grapes! :P
Posted 20:34 12th September 2012
Jediboy says...
I think that there will always be inconsistency in anything that humans are involved in. That's the nature of human thinking. Just look at these pages - some thought it was a fair tackle, others disagreed.
On the suspension, I think it was always going to happen. 'Tackles' like this rarely go unpunished. Players need to learn that it's not acceptable.
Van Velze hasn't got off to the best start at Saints : two games, two yellows and a 4 week ban. Not good!!
Posted 17:28 12th September 2012
APV1 says...
The problem with these citings and sanctions is the lack of consistency. Should it have been a red card? According to the Laws, yes. Was yellow more appropriate? The ref thought so. But if he'd been red-carded, would he have also been cited? Goodness knows. So where does the ref's interpretation and discretion stop and the Laws start?
The ambiguity and lack of consistency is causing all sorts of problems and needs addressing.
Posted 11:32 12th September 2012