Lassissi faces anxious wait
January 25, 2002

Castres forward Ismaelia Lassissi faced an uncertain future on Thursday after his appeal hearing against a 12-month ban from all competitions for biting broke up without a verdict being announced.

After the four-and-a-half hour hearing, Diarmuid Murphy, a spokesman for European Rugby (ERC), whose disciplinary panel imposed the ban, told AFP: "I don't have a decision now. A decision will be released Friday morning."

Ivory Coast international flanker Lassissi was cited by Munster for biting their Ireland prop Peter Clohessy during their European Cup Pool match between the clubs in France on January 12, which Castres won 21-13.

Clohessy, nicknamed 'The Claw', was cited by Castres in a counter-response for making an alleged racist remark to Lassissi, but the French club withdrew their protest at the original hearing last week.

The 32-year-old Lassissi's suspension is one of the most severe handed out to a player in the European Cup.

But biting - French television pictures appeared to show him making contact with Clohessy's arm - is one of rugby union's most reviled crimes.

Bath prop Kevin Yates received a six-month suspension in 1998 after being found guilty by the Rugby Football Union of biting London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn's left ear, although Yates has always denied that accusation.

Unless his appeal succeeds, Lassissi is set to miss Castres' European Cup quarterfinal against fellow French side Montferrand on Saturday.

Clohessy, however, is certain to be in Irish province Munster's side for their last-eight clash away to Paris-based Stade Francais.

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