The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Scott Barrett of New Zealand for contravening Law 9.16: A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp the player, after he was Red Carded during a Rugby Championship match at the weekend.
Barrett has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including Sunday 1 September 2019.
The incident occurred in the 39th minute of the match between Australia and New Zealand played at Optus Stadium in Perth on 10 August 2019.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Eroni Clarke assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions from his legal representative, Stephen Cottrell, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.16."
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or neck must start at a mid-range level. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's exemplary judicial record, his expressed remorse and the fact the Player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."
"The Foul Play Review Committee adjourned the hearing to seek more evidence regarding the Player's proposed schedule of matches. Upon reconvening the Foul Play Review Committee was presented with extensive evidence demonstrating the Player's intended playing schedule."
"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including Sunday 1 September 2019.”
All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
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