iRugby News

Heineken Cup: Malcom O’Kelly suspended for two weeks

Malcolm O’Kelly, the Leinster lock (No 5), appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin today (Thursday, 22 January), as a result of a citing arising from the Round 5 Heineken Cup Pool 2 match against London Wasps at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 17 January, 2009.

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Aurwel Morgan (Wales) was for an alleged stamp on London Wasps player Phil Vickery (No 3) in contravention of Law 10.4 (b).

The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprising Jean-Etienne Bernard (France) and Robert Williams (Wales), found that Malcolm O’Kelly was guilty of foul play in that he had stamped on Phil Vickery in contravention of Law 10.4 (b).

After considering the evidence, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that intentional foul play had not been established but that Malcom O’Kelly’s actions had been dangerous and that offence was at the low-end of the level of seriousness for stamping.

Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the independent Disciplinary Committee suspended the player for a period of two (2) weeks up to and including Wednesday, 4 February, 2009.

Both parties have the right to appeal.