The Northampton Saints hooker, Curtis Langdon, has been suspended for four weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Munster Rugby at Thomond Park.
Langdon was sent off by the referee, Tual Trainini (France), in the 39th minute of the match for making reckless contact to the head of the Munster Rugby second row, Thomas Ahern, in contravention of Law 9.11.
Law 9.11 A player must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Rhian Williams (Wales), Chair, Bogdan Zebega (Romania) and Jamie Corsi (Wales) studied video imagery of the incident, and heard evidence from Langdon who accepted the red card decision.
The committee also heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, John Shea, from the Northampton Saints Head of Recruitment and Retention, Paul Shields, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee upheld the red card decision and determined that Langdon should be sanctioned for striking with the knee under Law 9.12.
Law 9.12 A player must not physically abuse anyone
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 Striking with the knee carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks
The committee then decided that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and eight weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account the player’s guilty plea and his clear disciplinary record, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing a four-week suspension.
The date when Langdon can return to play will be determined once the committee has received full details of his future playing schedule.
Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Munier Hartzenberg suspended for two weeks
The Toyota Cheetahs wing, Munier Hartzenberg, has been suspended for two weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against Oyonnax Rugby at Stade Charles-Mathon.
Hartzenberg was sent off by the referee, Anthony Woodthorpe (England), in the 19th minute of the match for tackling the Oyonnax Rugby full back, Maxime Salles, in the air in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.17.
Law 9.17 A player must not tackle an opponent whose feet are off the ground
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.17 carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Roddy MacLeod (Scotland), Chair, Martyn Wood (England) and Chris Morgan (Wales) studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from Hartzenberg who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.
The committee also heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Attie Heyns, from the Toyota Cheetahs Team Manager, Ashwell Rafferty, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee upheld the red card decision finding that Hartzenberg had tackled Salles in the air in a dangerous manner and it determined that the offending was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account his acceptance that his actions amounted to foul play and his clear disciplinary record, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing a two-week suspension.
As Hartzenberg would have been considered for selection for the Toyota Cheetahs’ SA Cup matches against Boland on 23 March and against the Leopards on 30 March, he is free to play on Monday, 1 April.
Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
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