Heineken Cup
Skinner handed two-week ban
ESPNscrum Staff
December 22, 2011
Harlequins flanker Will Skinner escapes from James Gaskell, Sale v Harlequins, Anglo-Welsh Cup, Edgeley Park, Stockport, England, October 21, 2011
Will Skinner has been suspended for two weeks © Getty Images
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Harlequins flanker Will Skinner has been banned for two weeks following his red card in the Heineken Cup clash against Toulouse.

Skinner was shown a red card for an act 'contrary to good sportsmanship' in the 79th minute of Quins' epic 31-24 victory over the French champions in Toulouse last Sunday. After being substituted, the Quins flanker played the match ball in the technical area, preventing Toulouse from taking a quick throw in.

In a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Thursday, independent judicial officer Pat Barriscale upheld the red card and imposed a two-week suspension. Skinner's excellent record and the 'low-end' nature of the offence were taken into account.

An ERC statement read: "For red card hearings, the onus rests with the player to demonstrate that the referee's decision to issue the red was wrong and the judicial officer found the player had not demonstrated that, and he accordingly upheld the red card.

"Employing the IRB-recommended sanctions for acts contrary to good sportsmanship, the judicial officer decided that the offence was at the low-end entry point of four weeks.

"Having taken into account the mitigating factors, including the player's excellent record, he decided on the maximum reduction of 50% and imposed a suspension of two weeks."

Skinner will therefore be available on January 2, having missed Quins' Aviva Premiership matches against Saracens and Exeter Chiefs on December 27 and December 31. Both the ERC and the player have the right to appeal the decision.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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