European Rugby Champions Cup
Healy suspension lifted but case not over
PA Sport
December 23, 2015
Cian Healy in action during the Ireland Captain's Run
Cian Healy in action during the Ireland Captain's Run© Stu Forster/Getty Images

Leinster and Ireland prop Cian Healy's two-week suspension has been lifted after he appealed against a citing for foul play.

But although he is free to play with immediate effect, an original charge against Healy will be reheard at a later date.

Healy, who has 56 caps for Ireland, was cited over a clash with Toulon hooker Guilhem Guirado during a European Champions Cup match on December 13.

A charge of striking with the knee was ruled not proven, and was amended by Welsh judicial officer Roger Morris to "Dangerous charging or obstructing or grabbing of an opponent without the ball, including shouldering", in breach of Law 10.4 (f) and (k) of World Rugby's regulations.

Healy and Leinster then appealed against the amended sanction, claiming Morris failed to follow due process in imposing the revised charge.

Healy was cleared to play in last Saturday's return fixture with Toulon as he waited for his appeal to be heard on Wednesday by an independent appeal committee comprised of chairman Professor Lorne Crerar and fellow Scots Rod McKenzie and Roddy Dunlop QC.

In a statement, tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby said: "An independent appeal committee has today allowed an appeal by the Leinster Rugby player Cian Healy against the two-week suspension imposed on him as a result of a citing complaint following his club's European Rugby Champions Cup round three match against RC Toulon.

"The appeal committee determined that the decision of the independent judicial officer at a disciplinary hearing on Thursday, December 17 should be set aside, and Healy is therefore free to play with immediate effect.

"However, the appeal committee also decided that the original citing complaint against the player should be reheard at a later date by a different independent judicial officer from the disciplinary hearing."

© PA Sport

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