Aviva Premiership
Justin Melck's red card rescinded
ESPN Staff
May 14, 2014
Wrong call ... Justin Melck is sent on his way © Getty Images
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The Rugby Football Union has overturned the red card given to Saracens flanker Justin Melck in their defeat by Leicester on Saturday. He is now free to play in Saracens' Premiership semi-final against Harlequins this weekend.

Melck was dismissed early in the second half of the match after a touch judge alerted referee Greg Garner to what he saw as a gouge on the eye of Leicester's Neil Briggs. The incident was not referred to the TMO.

Leicester backed Melck's appeal. Immediately after the match, their director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "Neil Briggs was the supposed victim and he said there was no eye-gouging … it was just a hand across the bottom of his face. He said it was a mistake by the officials."

Saracens boss Mark McCall was less restrained, saying he was "hugely disappointed". He added: "Their player did not complain and subsequently said it did not happen. Justin is not that kind of player, it was a dreadful decision."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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