Alfie gets 4 weeks.
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GARETH THOMAS HEARING
ERC Press Statement - Gareth Thomas independent Disciplinary Hearing
Toulouse player Gareth Thomas appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin today (Thursday, 1 February, 2007) to answer a misconduct complaint arising from the Round 6 Heineken Cup Pool 5 match against Ulster Rugby at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday, 21 January.
The player answered a misconduct complaint under the Heineken Cup 2006 / 2007 Disciplinary Rules, in that he allegedly engaged in aggressive exchanges with spectators and / or aggressively attempted to enter one of the seating areas and / or made an offensive hand gesture towards spectators.
The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprising Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Achille Reali (Italy), found Mr. Thomas guilty of Misconduct under the Heineken Cup Disciplinary Rules 2006 / 2007 in that he:
· aggressively attempted to enter one of the seating areas of the stadium; and
· made an offensive hand gesture (namely a raised middle finger) toward spectators (by his own admission)
The Committee found Mr. Thomas not guilty of engaging in aggressive exchanges with spectators.
The independent Disciplinary Committee imposed a sanction of four weeks suspension on Mr Thomas from 1 February 2007 up to and including 28 February 2007 and a fine of 7,500 euro. The player will be available to play again on 1 March, 2007.
Both parties have the right to appeal.
NB: The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee is now available on http://www.ercrugby.com/discipline
Notes to Editor
ERC Press Statement - Gareth Thomas independent Disciplinary Hearing
Toulouse player Gareth Thomas appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin today (Thursday, 1 February, 2007) to answer a misconduct complaint arising from the Round 6 Heineken Cup Pool 5 match against Ulster Rugby at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday, 21 January.
The player answered a misconduct complaint under the Heineken Cup 2006 / 2007 Disciplinary Rules, in that he allegedly engaged in aggressive exchanges with spectators and / or aggressively attempted to enter one of the seating areas and / or made an offensive hand gesture towards spectators.
The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprising Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Achille Reali (Italy), found Mr. Thomas guilty of Misconduct under the Heineken Cup Disciplinary Rules 2006 / 2007 in that he:
· aggressively attempted to enter one of the seating areas of the stadium; and
· made an offensive hand gesture (namely a raised middle finger) toward spectators (by his own admission)
The Committee found Mr. Thomas not guilty of engaging in aggressive exchanges with spectators.
The independent Disciplinary Committee imposed a sanction of four weeks suspension on Mr Thomas from 1 February 2007 up to and including 28 February 2007 and a fine of 7,500 euro. The player will be available to play again on 1 March, 2007.
Both parties have the right to appeal.
NB: The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee is now available on http://www.ercrugby.com/discipline
Notes to Editor
“That made me feel very special and underlined to me that Ulster is more than a team, it is a community and a rugby family"
Rory Best
Rory Best
BBC confirmation here but none on the ERC website maybe it is an alleged ban in their view!!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 310719.stm
- Freddie Benson
- Lord Chancellor
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correctly so - in order for there to have been aggressive exchanges, the spectators would have had to have made aggressive gestures towards Thomas, which none did.Rooster wrote: The Committee found Mr. Thomas not guilty of engaging in aggressive exchanges with spectators.
I don't believe it's harsh at all. And it does set the tone for the sort of ban Brennan can expect, once he actually gets to a hearing. In the meantime Stade Toulousain must ban Brennan now. Having not done to date is very disappointing, but to continue selecting him is truly appaling.
No longer the Celtic League winning coach
still feel a bit sorry for him. Although he has to answer for his own actions, the incident wouldnt have happened if his "mate" brennan hadnt just knocked seven bells out of a supporter.
Alfie is welsh rugby legend and quite a character by most accounts. Felt he was given a rough ride during the whole ruddock debacle last year and now this.
I think he is due to retire after the world cup and this ban will be enough to stop him reaching the 100 cap mark
Alfie is welsh rugby legend and quite a character by most accounts. Felt he was given a rough ride during the whole ruddock debacle last year and now this.
I think he is due to retire after the world cup and this ban will be enough to stop him reaching the 100 cap mark