Rugby World Cup 2011
Williams escapes suspension
ESPNscrum Staff
October 1, 2011
Samoa's Paul Williams receives his red card, Samoa v South Africa, Rugby World Cup, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand, September 30, 2011
Paul Williams is sent off against South Africa © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Paul Williams
Teams: Samoa | South Africa

Samoa fullback Paul Williams has avoided a ban following his sending off in Friday's 13-5 Pool D loss to South Africa.

Williams admitted to striking Springbok flanker Heinrich Brussow in the clash and it was determined by judicial officer Christopher Quinlan QC that the offence was "at the lower end of the scale of seriousness".

A Rugby World Cup statement read: "The judicial officer found that there were compelling on-field and/or off-field mitigating features and a complete absence of on-field and/or off-field aggravating features.

"In particular he determined that the strike was an open-handed push, the contact was not heavy and there was no adverse effect on the victim player or the match.

"Therefore, in accordance with disciplinary clause 12.5 the judicial officer determined that no further sanction was necessary. Williams is free to play with immediate effect."

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