Stormers captain Neethling Fouché banned for four games after appeal fails

Stormers captain Neethling Fouché could miss the remainder of his team’s United Rugby Championship (URC) league matches after receiving a ban following his red-card incident against Ulster two weeks ago.

The Stormers are 10th on the log and would have liked to have their choice starter available for their next four games as they hope to earn a playoff spot in the top eight.

Fouché may rejoin the team for the fourth match against Cardiff should he complete a coaching intervention programme.

Fouché loses appeal

During the match on 28 March, referee Andrea Piardi showed Fouché a red card in the 45th minute. This was under Law 9.16 – ‘a Player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.’

Three days later, a disciplinary panel consisting of Declan Goodwin (chairperson), Janet Gedrych and Chris Morgan (all from Wales) found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting a six-game suspension.

“The panel reduced the suspension (33% mitigation) due to the player’s good record, remorse and exemplary conduct before and during the hearing which resulted in a four-game suspension,” the URC said.

The prop exercised his right to appeal. An appeal panel consisting of Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (chairperson, Scotland), David Martin (Ireland) and Robert Milligan KC (Scotland) met on 10 April to review. The appeal was not upheld and the original disciplinary panel sanction remains.

Fixtures Neethling Fouché is unavailable for:

Stormers v Connacht on 19 April, Stormers v Benetton on 26 April, Stormers v Dragons RFC on 10 May and Stormers v Cardiff Rugby on 16 May.

However, the URC said should the player complete the World Rugby coaching intervention programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week. Therefore he would play against Cardiff.