LEICESTER CENTRE MANU Tuilagi has avoided a ban after his citing for a dangerous tackle on Munster’s Chris Cloete during the Champions Cup game on Sunday was dismissed.
Tuilagi, who is only just back from a knee injury which kept him out since the start of the season, appeared before an independent disciplinary hearing in London today but the citing complaint was dismissed when the panel found the act of foul play was not an offence which warranted a red card.
The incident in question was in the 49th minute of the Pool 4 clash between the sides at Welford Road, with Tuilagi appearing to hit South African flanker Cloete high.
“An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Roger Morris (Wales) and Nigel Williams (Wales) heard evidence and submissions from Tuilagi, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, from the player’s legal representative, Sam Jones, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan,” an EPCR statement read.
“The Committee found that Tuilagi had committed a reckless act of foul play in that his shoulder had made contact with Cloete’s head, however, the Committee was not satisfied that the offence had warranted a red card.
“The citing complaint was therefore dismissed and Tuilagi is free to play.”
Manu Tuilagi has been cleared by the Independent Disciplinary Committee, with the citation for this tackle thrown out.pic.twitter.com/6nBrO5xFfU
— Rugby Tonight on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 20, 2017
Speaking to the BBC, Leicester head coach Matt O’Connor said ‘sanity had prevailed.’
“We’re really thankful because Manu has just had a much publicised layoff from the game and is back fit and had got through a quality 80 minutes,” he said.
“After his first game back it would have been devastating for him and the group if he was to miss more games, but thankfully sanity prevailed.
“I was very surprised when the citing came though. There was no malicious intent, it wasn’t particularly high. It was a pretty sound tackle from our perspective.
“Everything Manu does is scrutinised because he’s such a fantastic talent. There will always be headlines around Manu and everyone understands that.”
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