David Attoub loses appeal against 70-week ban for gouging
David Attoub loses appeal against 70-week ban for gouging
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Thursday, 04, Mar 2010 02:53
Alex Steger
Stade Francais prop David Attoub has lost his appeal against a 70-week ban for eye-gouging.
The forward was found guilty of the attack after being photographed with his fingers in the eyes of Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris during Ulster's 23-13 victory over the French side on December 12th 2009.
He received the lengthy ban for the incident in January. However, he appealed the ruling after Stade Francais chairman Max Guazzini accused Judge Jeff Blackett of 'anti-French bias'.
Attoub's previous record and his lack of remorse led to him receiving the second longest suspension for such an offence in the sport's history. Eye gouging is deemed the most serious misdemeanour in rugby.
The three-man European Rugby Cup (ERC) disciplinary panel opted to confirm the original punishment meaning he will not play again until April 22nd 2011.
In a statement the ERC said: "The independent disciplinary hearing found that David Attoub was guilty of foul play in contravention of Law 10.4 (l) in that he made contact with the eye area of Stephen Ferris and that the offence was at the top end in the level of seriousness.
"Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the independent judicial officer suspended the player for a period of 70 weeks running up to and including April 22nd 2011.
"The independent appeal committee, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and also comprising Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Robert Williams (Wales) found that Mr Attoub had not demonstrated that the original decision had been in error and therefore dismissed the appeal."