Rugby:Wales international Morgan Stoddart has been cleared to continue playing following his sending-off in last weekend's Heineken Cup clash between the Scarlets and Clermont Auvergne. The Scarlets wing was shown an automatic red card by Irish referee Peter Fitzgibbon after receiving two yellows in a game his team lost 49-16 at Stade Marcel Michelin.
European Rugby Cup independent judicial officer Anthony Davies, who considered the matter by means of written submissions, has decided the red card was sufficient punishment, tournament organisers announced.
Davies concluded that neither yellow card offence involved foul play directed at an opponent and that no additional action was necessary. It means that Stoddart is available for the Scarlets’ Heineken Cup appointment at home to holders Leinster on Saturday afternoon.
The ASM Clermont Auvergne lock, Nathan Hines has been suspended for six weeks arising from the Heineken Cup Pool 5, Round 1 match against Scarlets at Stade Marcel Michelin last Saturday. He will be available for his side’s match against Leinster in December.
Hines was alleged to have stamped on Scarlets wing, Morgan Stoddart, during the first half of the match. The player pleaded not guilty to the offence but the Judicial Officer upheld the citing complaint and found that Hines had stamped on his opponent and had connected on more than one occasion.
Hines will be free to play on 26 November 2012. Both ERC and the player have the right to appeal the decision.
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