Seru Rabeni has had an appeal against his conviction for making illegal contact with the eye area of Saracens hooker Andy Kyriacou dismissed.
The Leicester Tigers centre was suspended for 14 weeks (April 1 to July 8) by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing after being cited for a breach of law 10.4(k) following the Guinness Premiership match at Welford Road on March 15.
The Leicester Tigers centre was suspended for 14 weeks (April 1 to July 8) by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing after being cited for a breach of law 10.4(k) following the Guinness Premiership match at Welford Road on March 15.
The appeal was heard by Adam Lewis (chairman), John Brennan and Mike Rafter.
Following the hearing, Leicester Tigers released a club statement:
Our case was presented by Richard Smith QC, a leading criminal barrister and an expert in rugby disciplinary matters.
The hearing lasted almost three hours and it appeared that the panel felt there was merit in many of Richard Smiths arguments.
It is unfortunate that we were unable to convince the panel that the original decision was incorrect as, of course, the loss of Seru Rabeni at this stage of the season for the rest of the season is a massive blow to both the player and the club.
