‘Reckless contact with the eye’ – Scotland star banned for key Glasgow Warriors fixtures

Jared Wright
Stafford McDowall alleged eye gouge and an image of Facundo Isa.

Stafford McDowall alleged eye gouge and an image of Facundo Isa.

Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Stafford McDowall has been handed a three-match ban for making ‘reckless contact with the eye’ of Toulon forward Facundo Isa.

McDowall was not punished for the incident during the 30-29 defeat but was cited afterwards and faced a Disciplinary Committee on Thursday which decided his suspension.

Scotland centre banned after being cited

A statement from EPCR confirmed that the midfielder ‘accepted he had made reckless contact with the eye’ with the Disciplinary Panel decided the offence warranted low-end entry point which is a six-week suspension.

However, McDowall received a full 50% reduction of his suspension due to his good disciplinary record and timely acceptance of the charge.

This means that he will miss both of Glasgow Warriors‘ 1872 Cup matches against Edinburgh over the festive period as well as the Scottish outfit’s Investec Champions Cup round three fixture against Racing 92.

WATCH: Scotland back’s alleged eye gouge on Facundo Isa that could result in a HEFTY ban

He will be available for selection again for Franco Smith’s side’s clash with Harlequins on January 18, 2025.

“The independent Disciplinary committee of Antony Davies (England, Chair), Ken Owens (Wales) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) heard the case via video conference on the morning of Thursday 19 December 2024,” the statement read.

“The player accepted he had made reckless contact with the eye and the independent Disciplinary Panel decided the offending was at the low-end of the scale of seriousness, imposing an entry point of 6 weeks’ suspension.

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“The player received a 3-week reduction in the length of his suspension due to his good disciplinary record and timely acceptance of the charge and has therefore been suspended for 3 weeks. Taking into account the playing schedule over the festive period, he will be free to play from 13 January 2025. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”

Stafford McDowall’s ban

Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh (URC, December 22, 2024)
Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors (URC, December 28, 2024)
Glasgow Warriors v Racing (Investec Champions Cup, January 18, 2025)

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