An independent Appeal Committee convened in Dublin today (Wednesday, 6 February) to hear the appeal lodged by Jerry Flannery, the Munster hooker, against the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee.

The original independent Disciplinary Committee (Thursday, 24 January) found Mr Flannery guilty of stamping on ASM Clermont Auvergne player Julien Bonnaire during the Round 5 Heineken Cup Pool 5 match against ASM Clermont Auvergne at Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin on Sunday, 13 January.

The original independent Disciplinary Committee had determined that the offence was of the top end in the level of seriousness and suspended the player for a period of eight (8) weeks up to and including Wednesday, 19 March, 2008.

The independent Appeal Committee was chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and also comprised HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and Russell Howell (Wales).

It was the view of the independent Appeal Committee that the original Disciplinary Committee was in error in its determination that the offence was deliberate and of the top end in the level of seriousness.

The Appeal Committee found that Mr Flannery had stamped on the player recklessly rather than deliberately and accordingly determined that the offence was of mid-range in the level of seriousness.

Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors, the Appeal Committee reduced the period of suspension to four (4) weeks which will now run up to Thursday, 21 February, 2008.

 ALEXANDRE AUDEBERT APPEAL DECISION

An independent Appeal Committee convened in Dublin today (Wednesday, 6 February) to hear the appeal lodged by Alexandre Audebert, the ASM Clermont Auvergne flanker, against the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee.

The original independent Disciplinary Committee (Thursday, 24 January) found Mr Audebert guilty of stamping on Munster player Ronan O'Gara during the Round 5 Heineken Cup Pool 5 match against Munster at Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin on Sunday, 13 January, 2008.

The independent Disciplinary Committee determined the offence was of the top end in the level of seriousness and having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the Committee suspended the player for a period of eight (8) weeks up to and including Wednesday, 19 March, 2008.

The independent Appeal Committee was chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprised Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and Russell Howell (Wales).

It was the view of the independent Appeal Committee that there was no error in the decision of the original independent Disciplinary Committee and accordingly the Appeal Committee dismissed the appeal and upheld the suspension.

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