Tolu Latu was suspended for 11 weeks on Tuesday after his sending off in a Champions Cup last-16 first-leg defeat to Racing 92 at the weekend.
The Tongan-born Australia player came off the bench in the second half and was sent off after 67 minutes “for making contact in the air in a dangerous manner” with Racing 92 second rower Baptiste Chouzenoux, the EPCR disciplinary commission ruled.
“The committee upheld the red decision, finding that Latu had committed an intentional act of foul play that warranted a red card,” the EPCR said in a statement.
“The offending was at the top end of World Rugby’s sanctions and 12 weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“The committee decided to reduce the sanction by two weeks given the player’s guilty plea and apology, and it also decided to add one week to the sanction due to the player’s poor disciplinary record before imposing an 11-week suspension.”
Not Tolu Latu’s first red card of the season!
Racing 92 won the match 22-9 with the return leg next Sunday.
The red card was hooker Latu’s second of the season to go with six yellow cards!
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse