Quinlan banned for three weeks
Thursday, 20 Nov 2008 12:12
Ireland back-row Alan Quinlan banned for three weeks for stamping
Ireland back-row forward Alan Quinlan has been banned for three weeks for stamping on New Zealand number eight Rodney So'oialo.
Quinlan was cited following last week's 22-3 defeat at Croke Park over the incident, which was alleged to have been in contravention of Law 10.4(b) that "a player must not stamp or trample on an opponent".
"At a disciplinary hearing in Dublin, Alan Quinlan, the Ireland back row forward, was found to have committed an act of foul play following being cited by the IRB independent citing commissioner at the match against New Zealand at Croke Park on Saturday," a statement read.
"The IRB's judicial officer for the match, Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland), imposed a suspension of three weeks ending at midnight on December 6th 2008 having deemed the player's act of stamping in contravention of Law 10.4(b) should have merited a red card.
"The player has the right of appeal."
Ireland have since indicated their intention to appeal the ban, which will see Quinlan ruled out of this weekend's final autumn international against Argentina.
The Irish must win the match to guarantee their place among the top eight seeds ahead of the draw for the group stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
If Declan Kidney's side are defeated in Dublin then Scotland, provided they beat Canada in Aberdeen on the same day, will move above Ireland into eighth in the world rankings.