IT LOOKED LIKE Harlequins lock Charlie Matthews was going to get hit with a minimum of a 12 week ban after he was cited for making contact with the eye of Dominic Ryan during last Saturday’s Champions cup game at the Aviva Stadium.

But after hearing evidence from Matthews, Quins boss Conor O’Shea, and a surprise mystery witness, the EPCR released this statement:

“The independent Judicial Officer, Rod McKenzie (Scotland), studied footage of the incident, and heard evidence from Matthews, who pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence, from Harlequins Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, and from EPCR’s Disciplinary Officer. Following a review which also included evidence from Dominic Ryan in which he stated that he had not felt any contact with his eye area, the Judicial Officer was not satisfied that Matthews had committed an act of foul play and dismissed the citing complaint.”

So Dominic Ryan cleared Matthews essentially. This eye injury could have been caused by a number of things.

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

It was lucky for Matthews that Ryan came forward because according to the EPCR it is a 12 week for the low end gouging offence, 18 weeks for mid-range and 24-52 weeks for high end.

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