USA Rugby
Clever escapes ban
ESPNscrum Staff
September 17, 2011
USA Eagles' Todd Clever on the charge, USA Eagles v Russia, Rugby World Cup, Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth, New Zealand, September 15, 2011
Clever on the charge against Russia © Getty Images
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United States skipper Todd Clever will be free to play in the US Eagles' remaining Pool C fixtures after escaping a suspension for foul play.

Clever was cited for a dangerous tackle and dangerous charge during the clash with Russia in New Plymouth on Thursday. The flanker admitted the charge of a dangerous tackle but Independent Judicial Officer Jeff Blackett deemed it to be a minor incident and that there were mitigating factors.

Therefore Clever escaped a potential two week suspension and is free to participate in the remainder of the US Eagles' campaign.

"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," an International Rugby Board statement read. "In particular he determined that the contact was between the USA player's upper arm and the victim player's chest.

"It was a glancing contact as the victim player was already falling away as a result of a legitimate tackle by another USA player. There was no adverse effect on the victim player or the match and the offence could not be described as a body check, which would have been more serious."

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