United Rugby Championship Disciplinary Decision - Ciaran Parker

The Disciplinary process related to Ciaran Parker’s red card in the United Rugby Championship Round 1 game against Benetton Rugby on Saturday, October 21 has resulted in an five-week suspension.

After an act of foul play by Cardiff Rugby player No 18 (Ciaran Parker), referee Frank Murphy showed the Player a Red Card in the 78th minute of the game under 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.

In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Sheriff Kathrine Mackie, Scotland), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play involving head contact which warranted a Red Card. The Judicial Officer found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with a mid-range entry point warranting a six-week suspension.

Although the player made a guilty plea and apologised to his opponent, his previous red card in January 2023 (also for head contact) meant the mitigation applied is limited to just one week and therefore he is suspended for five weeks.

Having previously completed the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme he is not eligible to gain any further mitigation to his suspension.  

Fixtures Ciaran Parker is unavailable for:

BKT URC - 29 October v Dragons RFC

BKT URC - 4 November v Scarlets

BKT URC - 10 November v Vodacom Bulls

BKT URC - 17 November v Zebre Parma

BKT URC - 24 November v DHL Stormers