MATTHEW REES HAS been handed a seven week suspension after being found guilty of stamping on Harlequins’ Nick Easter during a Challenge Cup game earlier this month.
The Cardiff Blues hooker was sent-off by referee Alexandre Ruiz with four minutes of the match remaining after his boot made contact with Easter’s eye.
Rees was found guilty by an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London today and has been banned until Monday 11 January 2016.
“The independent Judicial Officer, Pat Barriscale (Ireland), heard evidence and submissions from Rees, who accepted he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card, from the Cardiff Blues Team Manager, Gafyn Cooper, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan,” a statement read.
Under World Rugby’s sanctions for foul play, stamping or trampling (Law 10.4 b) on an opponent carries a suspension of up to 52 weeks.
After apologising for his actions and pleading guilty, Rees’ suspension was reduced from 12 weeks due to his disciplinary record.
“In upholding the red card decision, the Judicial Officer found that Rees had stamped on Nick Easter and determined that the offence was at the top end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected 12 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
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“He then reduced the sanction by five weeks taking into account Rees’s guilty plea, timely expression of remorse to Easter and his clean disciplinary record, before imposing a suspension of seven weeks.”
Rees will be unavailable for the Blues’ Pro12 fixtures against both Connacht and Munster, although the former Wales captain has the right to appeal the decision.
