Rugby – Disciplinary hearings:The Ospreys face a misconduct charge over allegations of fielding 16 players during their 17-12 Heineken Cup win over Leicester last weekend, while Biarritz lock Jerome Thion has had a separate hearing adjourned until next Tuesday.
The ERC disciplinary committee reviewed statements from the Ospreys, Leicester and match officials and reviewed footage after it emerged the Welsh side had 16 players on the field for 50 seconds during a crucial part of their match at the Liberty Stadium.
Following his investigation the disciplinary officer, Roger O’Connor, made misconduct complaints against Ospreys fullback Lee Byrne and the Ospreys club.
The hearing will take place at ERC headquarters in Dublin this Friday and, while a fine is the most likely outcome if the Ospreys are sanctioned, it is possible they could face a points deduction.
They booked a last-eight place as one of two best pool runners-up courtesy of the win, finishing behind Clermont Auvergne, but two points above Leicester.
The incident itself occurred when Byrne rejoined the action and was briefly a 16th player. Referee Alan Lewis was seemingly unaware he had returned, and berated an Ospreys touchline official.
Lewis should have awarded Leicester a penalty once Byrne’s reappearance became evident, but it is understood the official might have been told by an unnamed Ospreys player that Leicester also had 16 on the field.
Leicester moved quickly after the final whistle, with club chief executive Peter Wheeler and chairman Peter Tom both confirming a complaint had been made within an hour of the game finishing.
Tom was also due to write directly to ERC chairman Jean-Pierre Lux, while the Tigers have hired a team of specialist sports lawyers to head up their protest.
Thion’s case for an alleged punch / strike on Glasgow’s Richie Gray in the Heineken Cup match at Parc des Sports Aguilera last weekend was due to be heard in Dublin tomorrow but has been put back until next Tuesday (February 2nd) after several of the Biarritz management were unable to attend.