THE URC HAS confirmed that there has been no formal citing of Lions back row Sibabalwe Mahashe in the wake of Munster’s URC win over the South African side, despite an allegation of spitting during the game.
Play was stopped for several minutes at Thomond Park on Saturday night after a claim by Munster hooker Diarmuid Barron that a Lions player spat in his face.
The experienced citing commissioner assigned to the game, Eugene Ryan, studied all available video footage, but could not find any clear evidence that should result in a disciplinary case. Replays from all angles were said to be inconclusive.
That means there will be no further action regarding the allegation, which was against Lions back row Mahashe, who categorically denied spitting and said he was having trouble with his gum shield.
“The allegation of spitting that occurred in the Munster versus Fidelity SecureDrive Lions on Saturday, May 16 was reviewed by the Citing Commissioner, Eugene Ryan (IRFU),” reads a statement from the URC.
“Having examined all available camera angles, the video footage was inconclusive and there was no clear and obvious unsportsmanlike conduct by Lions No 6.
“In particular: “The audio statement by No 16 of Munster is clear and he states that No 6 of Lions spat into his mouth but the audio statement from No 6 Lions contradicts this and he states that he had trouble with his gum shield after the upright contact before the ruck. He categorically denied the accusation of spitting.”
“As such no citing is feasible in this case.”
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Munster captain Craig Casey approached referee Andrea Piardi in the 63rd minute of the game at Thomond Park on Saturday.
“Act of foul play, spit in the face,” said Casey. “Our 16, there’s a spit in the face.”
Piardi then approached Barron and asked what the allegation was.
“He spat in my face,” said Barron. “He spat on me, in my face. Please have a look.”
Piardi told his TMO, Stefano Penne, there was a “serious allegation” that they needed to review.
However, the lengthy review process did not yield any evidence of such an action.
Piardi eventually called the captains together and told them, “I had a serious allegation by Munster about someone spitting in the face. So I wanted to take all the time that we needed, but nothing is on the screen.
“We need to carry on with the game. Someone else after the game will deal with that, probably the citing commissioner.”
However, the citing commissioner’s detailed review of the alleged incident, which Barron said occurred after he made a tackle, did not produce conclusive evidence.
That means Barron’s allegation will not be pursued any further.
No citing after Munster's allegation of spitting by Lions player
THE URC HAS confirmed that there has been no formal citing of Lions back row Sibabalwe Mahashe in the wake of Munster’s URC win over the South African side, despite an allegation of spitting during the game.
Play was stopped for several minutes at Thomond Park on Saturday night after a claim by Munster hooker Diarmuid Barron that a Lions player spat in his face.
The experienced citing commissioner assigned to the game, Eugene Ryan, studied all available video footage, but could not find any clear evidence that should result in a disciplinary case. Replays from all angles were said to be inconclusive.
That means there will be no further action regarding the allegation, which was against Lions back row Mahashe, who categorically denied spitting and said he was having trouble with his gum shield.
“The allegation of spitting that occurred in the Munster versus Fidelity SecureDrive Lions on Saturday, May 16 was reviewed by the Citing Commissioner, Eugene Ryan (IRFU),” reads a statement from the URC.
“Having examined all available camera angles, the video footage was inconclusive and there was no clear and obvious unsportsmanlike conduct by Lions No 6.
“In particular: “The audio statement by No 16 of Munster is clear and he states that No 6 of Lions spat into his mouth but the audio statement from No 6 Lions contradicts this and he states that he had trouble with his gum shield after the upright contact before the ruck. He categorically denied the accusation of spitting.”
“As such no citing is feasible in this case.”
Munster captain Craig Casey approached referee Andrea Piardi in the 63rd minute of the game at Thomond Park on Saturday.
“Act of foul play, spit in the face,” said Casey. “Our 16, there’s a spit in the face.”
Piardi then approached Barron and asked what the allegation was.
“He spat in my face,” said Barron. “He spat on me, in my face. Please have a look.”
Piardi told his TMO, Stefano Penne, there was a “serious allegation” that they needed to review.
However, the lengthy review process did not yield any evidence of such an action.
Piardi eventually called the captains together and told them, “I had a serious allegation by Munster about someone spitting in the face. So I wanted to take all the time that we needed, but nothing is on the screen.
“We need to carry on with the game. Someone else after the game will deal with that, probably the citing commissioner.”
However, the citing commissioner’s detailed review of the alleged incident, which Barron said occurred after he made a tackle, did not produce conclusive evidence.
That means Barron’s allegation will not be pursued any further.
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Allegation Claim Lions Munster Spitting URC