Fergus McFadden won't play rugby again for four months after ban for headbutt

Leinster wing Fergus McFadden's season is over after he faced a Disciplinary Hearing today via a video conference where was been banned for 'striking with the head'.

A Disciplinary Panel convened in Edinburgh to consider the citing against the player resulting from the Round 21 fixture against Ulster Rugby on April 27.

The player was reported by the Citing Commissioner in charge for alleged infringement of Law 9.12 – A player must not physically abuse anyone.

The Disciplinary Panel, comprising Roddy MacLeod, Frank Hadden and Beth Dickens (all Scotland), concluded that the player had committed an act of foul play involving contact to the head.

A statement reads:

"In upholding the Citing Complaint, the Disciplinary Committee deemed that the offence merited a red card under Law 9.12 (Striking with head) and that the contact to the head was intentional with a mid-range entry point of 10 weeks.

"The Committee took into account the Player’s previous disciplinary record and his good conduct acceptance of culpability, his remorse and his engagement with the instant disciplinary process (including at the hearing) and applied mitigation which reduced the ban to six weeks.

"To ensure the six-week ban accounts for meaningful matches played by Leinster Rugby and Irish Rugby, the player will be free to play from midnight on Sunday, August 25, 2019.

"The Player was reminded of his right to appeal."