BUNDEE AKI HAS been handed a three-match suspension for his remarks made to referee Ian Davies during Connacht’s Guinness Pro12 defeat to Leinster earlier this month.
The Kiwi centre will now miss the western province’s remaining two Pro12 games of the regular season — against Scarlets and Munster — and, more crucially, their Champions Cup play-off match on the weekend of 19/20/21 May.
Aki would be available to return for the following week’s play-off final if Pat Lam’s side progress but the disciplinary panel’s misconduct charge represents a huge blow to Connacht’s chances.
“The complaint referred to Mr Aki’s behaviour to and remarks directed toward, referee Ian Davies, during and immediately after the Round 20 fixture between Connacht Rugby and Leinster Rugby (April 15, 2017),” a Pro12 statement read.
“Those actions were deemed to constitute misconduct under the tournament’s Disciplinary Rules, in particular pursuant to the clauses set out in Section 3.
“Mr Aki admitted to the charge of misconduct and the Panel, chaired by Roger Morris with Simon Thomas as wing (both Wales), agreed upon a sanction of a three-match suspension.”
Aki can appeal the decision.
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