The Stade Toulousain player, Santiago Chocobares, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final match against Harlequins at Le Stadium on Sunday, 5 May.
Chocobares was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Beth Dickens (Scotland), for tackling the Harlequins centre, Luke Northmore, in a dangerous manner in the 74th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Benjamin Rutherford (Ireland), Chair, Valeriu Toma (Romania), and Roddy MacLeod (Scotland) studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence and submissions from Chocobares, who accepted the charge, from the player’s legal representative, Neil Robertson, from the Stade Toulousain President, Didier Lacroix, from the Stade Toulousain Director of Rugby, Ugo Mola, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee determined that Chocobares had tackled Northmore in a dangerous and reckless manner that warranted a red card, and therefore, the citing complaint was upheld.
It was decided that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. Taking into account the player’s guilty plea and his clear disciplinary record, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing a three-week suspension.
Chocobares is free to play on Monday, 27 May, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 20 May
Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
