BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 31: Rory Arnold of the GWK Griquas during the Absa Currie Cup match between Toyota Free State Cheetahs and GWK Griquas at Free State Stadium on August 31, 2013 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images)
Arnold received a red card in Griquas’ Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs last Saturday, after Cheetahs’ hooker Ethienne Reynecke complained to the match referee, who referred the matter to the television match official (TMO) before sending Arnold off.
Arnold appeared before a Saru disciplinary hearing in Cape Town on Tuesday and will be banned from all forms of rugby up to and including October 19.
Arnold pleaded not guilty to the charge and in his defence said that the downward pressure on his head, while trying to cross the tryline with his mouth open, had caused the marks on the arm of the Cheetahs player.
In his findings, judicial officer Peter Ingwersen found the victim’s (Reynecke) initial reaction was instructive, due to his spontaneous response to withdraw his arm and report the matter to the referee.
According to Ingwersen, Arnold was found guilty and sanctioned “on the balance of probabilities and relying particularly on the victim’s immediate and spontaneous reactions and the doctor’s evidence.”
– Sapa
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