Disciplinary: Niccolo Cannone (Red Card)

The Red Card disciplinary process for Niccolo Cannone of Benetton was heard by a Judicial Officer after he was sent off in the United Rugby Championship Round 16 game against Vodacom Bulls on Saturday, April 23.

The incident occurred in the 71st minute of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 fixture at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The Player received a Red Card under Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

The Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process, Jennifer Donovan (Ireland) determined that the Player’s actions met the threshold of a Red Card and that the act of foul play warranted a sanction. Ms. Donovan determined the entry point be mid-range which carried a suspension of six (6) weeks. However, considering the Player accepted that the act of foul play warranted a Red Card, has a clean previous record, his exemplary behaviour during the process these considerations entitled him to full (50 per cent) mitigation.

The Player has been banned for a period of three games.

Fixtures Niccolo Cannone is unavailable for:

Benetton v Emirates Lions (April 30) URC

Benetton v Zebre Parma (May 14) URC

Benetton v Cardiff Rugby (May 20) URC