Matt Banahan suspended after a nasty tackle saw him get red carded and suffer a head knock

March 24, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Matt Banahan has been given a three-week suspension.

The veteran back, who is in his final season as a professional before retirement, appeared before an online independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday (23 March 2021).

Banahan was shown a red card by referee Ian Tempest in the 69th minute of the match between Gloucester Rugby and Harlequins on Saturday 20 March. This was for a dangerous tackle, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13 .

Matt Banahan accepted the charges. Banahan was given a three-week suspension by the independent disciplinary panel comprising Philip Evans QC (chair) with Tony Wheat and Rob Vickerman. Banahan's free to play date will be determined in due course.

Independent disciplinary panel statement: “The player accepted the charge of dangerous tackling. Having considered all matters set out in regulation 19.11.8 the panel concluded that this offence just remained within the mid-range entry point for sanction. The starting point is therefore 6 weeks. The player had no offences recorded for a significant period, he pleaded guilty to the charge and presented other positive mitigation to the panel. As a result of all of his mitigation the panel felt able to reduce his sanction to 3 weeks. The panel will consider when that suspension will be served once further updated medical evidence has been received.”

Banahan’s red card at 2:53.

Thanks for all the messages luckily the @gloucesterrugby medic department are world class. If someone says how do you remember your possible last ever game I will say ‘’ who knows’’ pic.twitter.com/HWOyLlCQX7
— matt banahan (@mattbanahan1) March 20, 2021