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Billy Vunipola hearing decision rules foul play had 'insufficient force'
By PA
Billy Vunipola’s red card he received during Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup clash against the Bulls in South Africa has been overturned.
It means that the England number eight is free to play immediately, making him available for Saturday’s European appointment with Connacht.
Vunipola was sent off early in the second half by Italian referee Andrea Piardi for a dangerous strike to the head area of Bulls forward Cameron Hanekom.
The 31-year-old, who appeared by video link before an independent disciplinary panel, accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but he did not accept it warranted a red card.
Tournament organiser European Professional Club Rugby said: “The committee determined that Vunipola had committed an act of foul play.
“However, it decided that there was insufficient force in the contact to Hanekom’s head to warrant a red card, and the red card was therefore overturned.
“Vunipola is free to play immediately, and EPCR has the right to appeal the decision.”
Saracens were beaten 27-16 by the Bulls in the first of their four Champions Cup pool games.
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Latest Comments
The cupboard may be a bit stretched in the elite coaching dept...not to mention trophies.
Go to commentsI agree that I'm fitting it into a new context that might be original and/or hard for others to follow 👍
Razor has constantly choked on this tour refusing to back unproven players. There is something mentally wrong with this thought process, it's been proven(!!), that I'm happy to fit it under the same umbrella.
Would have been more accurate baloney for me to say Farrell choked, rather than specifically target Ireland in general 😁
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