Stade Francais star learns his suspension fate after ‘cheap shot’ against Saracens
Referee Hollie Davidson issues a red card and Sekou Macalou's tackle on Ivan van Zyl.
Stade Francais flanker Sekou Macalou has been handed a three-week ban after his red card against Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup.
He becomes the third player from the Parisian club to be red-carded and suspended this Champions Cup campaign following his teammates Pierre-Henri Azagoh and Baptiste Pesenti, who were sent off in round one against Munster.
Azagoh received a three-week suspension for his high shot on Peter O’Mahony while Pesenti got two for his WWE-esque supplex on Craig Casey.
Macalou banned
Macalou now joins his teammates on the sidelines for the next three weeks after accepting that he had committed an offence that warranted a red in the 28-17 defeat to the Premiership club.
The French international flanker was given his marching orders by the referee, Hollie Davidson (Scotland), in the 21st minute of the match for a dangerous tackle on Saracens’ Ivan van Zyl, an incident which occurred shortly after he had tripped the number nine after a scrum. His action led to huge criticism from fans who described his tackle as a ‘dog shot‘.
Law 9.13 states: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points: Low-end – 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range – 6 weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches
‘Reckless contact with the eye’ – Scotland star banned for key Glasgow Warriors fixtures
Trip and then swinging arm on the floor.
Flawless victory. #SFPvSAR pic.twitter.com/LBO62Er17N
— Riaan Louw (@Ringo26) December 15, 2024
“Macalou accepted that he had committed an offence that warranted a red card and the Disciplinary Committee selected six weeks as the appropriate entry point,” an EPCR statement read.
“No aggravating factors were present, and on the basis of the mitigation submitted on the player’s behalf, a 3-week discount was applied to the entry point of six weeks. The player was therefore suspended for 3 weeks. He will be free to play from 6 January 2025. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
The suspension means that Macalou will miss Stade Francais’ Top 14 matches against Perpignan, Toulouse and Bordeaux but will be free to feature in the Champions Cup clash against Northampton Saints on January 11.