European Rugby Champions Cup
Leinster's Cian Healy has 2-week ban upheld after Toulon citing
ESPN Staff
December 31, 2015
Cian Healy runs with the ball during Ireland's Six Nations win against England
Cian Healy runs with the ball during Ireland's Six Nations win against England© David Rogers/Getty Images

Leinster prop Cian Healy has been banned for two weeks for kneeing Toulon's Guilhem Guirado after his citing complaint was upheld.

Healy was deemed 'reckless' in the incident with the French team's hooker when the clubs met in the European Champions Cup earlier this month, but the offence was considered worthy of punishment at the low end of the disciplinary scale.

As a result, he was banned for 3 weeks and had that suspension reduced thanks to the player's good character and good conduct during the hearing.

The independent Judicial Officer, Jeremy Summers, heard submissions and evidence from Healy, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, from Leinster' head of rugby operations, Guy Easterby, the club's legal representative, Derek Hegarty, and from European Rugby's (EPCR) disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

An EPCR statement said: "In upholding the citing complaint, the judicial officer decided that Healy had committed a reckless act of foul play and he found that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions."

Healy is free to play on Monday, 11 January 2016. Both the player and the governing body have the right to appeal the decision, even though the Irishman has already appealed against the citing once.

The initial charge against him was not proven at a hearing on Dec.17, but was amended to "dangerous charging or obstructing or grabbing of an opponent without the ball, including shouldering".

Healy, then, was handed a 2-week suspension, but appealed and was allowed to face Toulon in the return fixture -- a game the French side won 20-16 on Dec.19 -- with his second hearing taking place in London on Thursday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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