Challenge Cup Disciplinary updates
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Yannick Youyoutte (RC Toulon) suspended for 5 weeks
The RC Toulon back row Yannick Youyoutte (No 18) has been suspended for 5 weeks following the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round 1 match against DHL Stormers at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday 7 December 2024.
Youyoutte was sent off by the referee, Karl Dickson (England), in the 71st minute of the match for a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13.
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points:
Low-end – 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range – 6 weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches
He will be free to play from Monday 13 January 2025. However, if he participates in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, he will be free to play from Monday 6 January.
Pierre-Henri Azagoh (Stade Français Paris) suspended for 3 weeks
The Stade Français Paris lock Pierre-Henri Azagoh (No 4) has been suspended for 3 weeks following the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round 1 match against Munster Rugby at Thomond Park on Saturday 7 December 2024.
Azagoh was sent off by the referee, Luke Pearce (England), in the 49th minute of the match for a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13.
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points:
Low-end – 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range – 6 weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches
He will be free to play from Monday 30 December 2024. However, if he participates in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, he will be free to play from Monday 23 December.
Baptiste Pesenti (Stade Français Paris) suspended for two weeks
The Stade Français Paris lock Baptiste Pesenti (No 5) has been suspended for two weeks following the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round 1 match against Munster Rugby at Thomond Park on Saturday 7 December 2024.
Pesenti was sent off by the referee, Luke Pearce (England), in the 53rd minute of the match for a dangerous tackle against Munster scrum-half Craig Casey in contravention of Law 9.13.
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points:
Low-end – 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range – 6 weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches
It was decided that the offending was at the low-end of World Rugby’s sanctions and two weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. The Disciplinary Committee did not consider that any aggravating factors were present, but did not feel that any discount from the entry point sanction of 2 weeks could be applied due to the player’s prior disciplinary record. The player was therefore suspended for two weeks.
Pesenti is free to play on Monday 23 December 2024.
All the players and the EPCR have the right to appeal the decision
