Five-Week Suspension For Luke Marshall
Ulster centre Luke Marshall appeared today before an independent PRO12 Rugby disciplinary committee, following a citing for an alleged kick to the head of an opponent during the second half of the PRO12 match between Ulster and the Scarlets last Friday.
The disciplinary committee, chaired by Pamela Woodman, sitting with Bill Dunlop and Roddy Dunlop (all Scotland), having listened to representations by and on behalf of the player, and viewed TV footage of the incident involving Luke Marshall and Michael Tagicakibau, found that Marshall had committed an act of foul play which would have warranted a red card and considered it to be at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions for this type of offence, which carries an entry-point of 8 weeks.
The committee found that there were no aggravating factors, and after taking into account various mitigating factors including the player’s unblemished playing record, the committee reduced the entry point by three weeks and imposed a five week suspension.
Marshall is suspended from playing until midnight on Sunday, April 12, taking into account one ‘down’ week and has the right of appeal.
The ban, as it stands, means he will miss Ulster’s upcoming PRO12 games against the Newport Gwent Dragons (March 8), Cardiff Blues (March 27) and Connacht (April 11).
Law 10.4(c): Kicking A player must not kick an opponent.