Attoub to learn fate on Friday

Rugby: David Attoub will not learn until Friday whether his appeal against a 70-week ban for eye-gouging Stephen Ferris will…

Rugby:David Attoub will not learn until Friday whether his appeal against a 70-week ban for eye-gouging Stephen Ferris will be reduced on appeal. The Stade Francais prop appeared before an independent appeal committee in London today.

After the hearing, in which Attoub contested both the finding of foul play and level of sanction imposed, the committee adjourned to consider its verdict and will not give its decision until Friday.

Attoub was suspended until April 22nd, 2011 after being found guilty of gouging the Ulster flanker during a Heineken Cup tie at Ravenhill in December.

Jerry Flannery, meanwhile, will appear before a Six Nations appeals panel tomorrow as he attempts to have his six-week ban reduced. The Ireland hooker was suspended for kicking France’s Alexis Palisson during their Six Nations clash in Paris last month.