Evidence of eye gouging is 'not found'
EUROPEAN rugby chiefs have failed to find enough evidence to cite any Mont de Marsan players, despite Gloucester's allegations of eye gouging against the French club last Thursday.
Cherry and Whites openside Andy Hazell will face a disciplinary hearing on Thursday week, where he will learn his fate after being sent off in last week's ill-tempered Amlin Challenge Cup victory over Mont de Marsan.
Gloucester submitted photographic evidence of damage to Hazell's eye, and early indications from European disciplinary bosses were that the video footage from the match would lead to a citing.
But that has all come to nought, leaving Hazell's mitigation potentially tricky.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Gloucester and the openside flanker have both previously admitted they will accept whatever punishment is forthcoming.
But had a Mont de Marsan player also been in the dock for the unsavoury charge of eye gouging then Hazell may have had a chance at reducing his near-inevitable ban slightly.
Now that has been ruled out the 34-year-old could face the full wrath of the ERC disciplinary panel, and therefore could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Comments
by SidGlawsder
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 7:23AM
“When the cameras didn't show anything on the live match broadcast, it was obvious that there was no evidence.”