The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Santiago Socino of the Jaguares for contravening Law 9.12: Stamping or Trampling, after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.
Socino has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including Saturday 4 April 2020.
The incident occurred in the 80th minute of the match between the Sharks and Jaguares at Jonsson Kings Park in Durban on 7 March 2020.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Eroni Clarke and Stefan Terblanche assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Citing under Law 9.12."
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's clean judicial record and the fact the Player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."
"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including Saturday 4 April 2020. This sanction covers the Players next three scheduled matches and also incorporates the scheduled Bye weekend for the Jaguares in Round 9.”
All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
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