The following players have attended disciplinary hearings at the World Rugby Nations Cup 2016 in Romania.
Juan Antonio Echeverria (Uruguay) – one-week suspension
Uruguay replacement Juan Echeverria was cited for an act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(a) (striking) and/or Law 10.4(h) (charging) in the Nations Cup match against Romania on 13 June, 2016 at the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf. The player appeared at a hearing in Bucharest before Judicial Officer Pamela Woodman (Scotland) on 16 June.
The player admitted that he committed an act of foul play in striking but not charging. The Judicial Officer received evidence from Echeverria, Romania player Marius Antonescu, Romania team physician Dr Octavian Cimpian, the match officials and also reviewed the video footage. The Judicial Officer determined that there was insufficient evidence of charging but upheld the citing on the basis of striking.
She considered this to be low-end offending which carries an entry point of two weeks. The Judicial Officer reduced this by one week for mitigation based on factors including the player’s prior clean record and conduct. Echeverria is suspended for Uruguay’s match against Spain on 18 June and is free to return to play following this match.
The player has 48 hours to appeal from receipt of the full written decision.
The written decision will be published here when available.
Viorel Lucaci (Romania) – no sanction
Romania player Viorel Lucaci attended a hearing in relation to alleged acts of foul play committed by the player in the match between Uruguay and Romania played over 13 and 14 June, 2016 (as a result of inclement weather conditions) at the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest which resulted in a Citing Commissioner Warning being issued by the Citing Commissioner Eugene Ryan (Ireland) regarding an alleged infringement of Law 10.4(e) (dangerous tackling); and a temporary suspension being issued by the referee Damian Schneider regarding an alleged infringement of Law 10.4(a) (striking).
Having carefully considered all of the evidence from the player and from the referee, the Judicial Officer determined that no further sanction was warranted against the player and therefore he is free to play immediately.
The player has 48 hours to appeal from receipt of the full written decision.
The written decision will be publishedhere when available.
Santiago Portillo (Argentina XV) - seven-week suspension
Argentina XV number eight Santiago Portillo attended a hearing before independent Judicial Officer Pamela Woodman (Scotland) on 20 June, 2016 for an alleged breach of Law 10.4(m) - acts contrary to good sportsmanship (contact with the eye or eye area) - in their Nations Cup match against Romania on 18 June, 2016.
The player admitted the act of foul play and having heard the evidence in the case, the Judicial Officer determined that the foul play warranted a low-end entry point of 12 weeks. The player received mitigation for various factors including a clean disciplinary record which resulted in a six-week reduction. The sanction was aggravated by one week to take into account the need to deter this type of offending in the game. The resulting sanction for the player is a seven-week suspension.
The player has 48 hours to appeal from receipt of the full written decision.
The written decision is available here.