FRENCH FRONT ROWER Uini Atonio has been given a three-match ban for his dangerous tackle on Irish hooker Rob Herring on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.
The La Rochelle prop tried to tackle the Ulster player but connected with the head of Herring at the time.
Herring was left confused and dazed moments after the collision and shortly after Wayne Barnes sent Atonio to the sinbin.
Herring underwent HIA protocols and did not return to the field on Saturday
Many people in rugby argued that the 32-year-old should have received a red at time and Barnes came under fire for his leniency in the pulsating clash.
Today following Wednesday’s hearing with an independent judicial committee Atonio had his ban reduced from six weeks to three due to his good disciplinary record.
France's remaining games in the Six Nations are against Scotland on the 26th of this month, England on March 11, and finally Wales on March 18.
Atonio is set to miss the three games, however, he may still play in France's final game against Wales provided he attends and completes a coaching intervention programme offered to him.
Absolutely baffling. Not an ounce of mitigation.
This could be used as a textbook example of a red card for contact with the head. pic.twitter.com/fQ8PuzuHAm— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) February 11, 2023
The reasons for the ban
The full statement released reads: “France prop, Uini Atonio appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link having been cited for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
“Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.) in the Guinness Six Nations match between Ireland and France on Saturday 11th February 2023.
“The independent judicial committee consisting of judge Mike Mika – chair (New Zealand), Leon Lloyd (England) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) heard the case, considering all the available evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives.
“The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card. Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee accepted the player’s admission that the tackle on Ireland No. 2 was foul play.
“His shoulder made contact with Ireland No. 2’s neck/face as described in the citing commissioner’s report and therefore reached the red card threshold.
“On that basis, the committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head. This resulted in a starting point of a six-week suspension.
Showed genuine remorse
The statement went onto to say because of the French prop's behaviour that it would be reduced from a six-week ban to three.
“Having acknowledged there were no aggravating factors and mitigating factors including the player’s immediate admission of guilt, his exemplary disciplinary record and genuine remorse, the committee reduced the six-week entry point by three weeks, resulting in a sanction of three weeks (to be served as the following given the player’s upcoming schedule): 26 February 2023 – France v Scotland 11 March 2023 – England v France 18 March 2023 – France v Wales.
“The player applied to take part in the coaching intervention programme to substitute the final match of his sanction for a coaching intervention, which was granted by the committee. The programme is aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. The player has the right of appeal within 3 working days of the issuing of the full written decision.”
🚨BREAKING🚨
France prop Uini Atonio has been banned for three weeks for his high challenge against Ireland.
Atonio was shown a yellow card on Saturday, and has had his ban reduced from six weeks to three thanks to a good disciplinary record.— Joe Harvey (@joeharvey34) February 15, 2023
