Stade Francais to appeal massive 70-week Attoub suspension
Jeff Blackett, who presided over the ERC hearing said in his judgement that Attoub’s actions “was the worst act of contact with the eyes that I have had to deal with.”
It is believed Attoub’s disciplinary record was also a mitigating factor in the timing of the ban, the Frenchman having being suspended three times previously, including one occasion for a similar offence in the 2004/05 season.
Outspoken Stade Francais president Max Guazzini was once more scathing in his condemnation of the disciplinary process.
“The judges are working in a British system,” Guazzini slammed last night.
“We are dealing with someone who has bad intentions in relation to the French. Burger got eight weeks. Attoub gets 70. Spot the error.”
Speaking to French newspaper Midi Olympique, Attoub revealed he was devastated but confirmed he would fight the sanction and prove his innocence. “I am stunned by the severity of this sanction,” said the 28-year-old prop. “Because I was battling with the Irish number 17 (Bryan Young) I didn’t know where my hand was.
“I did nothing on purpose. I was trapped under a pile of players. The judge did not believe me. Now I’ll go and see what options are open to me and I’ll go in front of the CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee) if necessary because I don’t see myself finishing my career under suspension.”
Attoub is the second Stade player to be banned for gouging in recent weeks after scrumhalf Julien Dupuy was found guilty of a similar offence and banned for 24 weeks although that was later reduced by a week on appeal.
* PERPIGNAN prop Jerome Schuster has been banned for two weeks following an ERC disciplinary hearing into his clash with Denis Leamy during December 20th’s Heineken Cup defeat to Munster.
Schuster was referred by the match citing commissioner, Alan Mansell, after striking Leamy with his head.
Independent judicial officer Lorne Crerar ruled that the incident was of a low-end level of seriousness and, taking into account any mitigating and aggravating factors and the player’s previous clean record, imposed the ban until February 1.
* THE Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel has reserved its judgement in the case of Brendan Venter until this afternoon.
The Saracens director of rugby appeared before the panel yesterday charged with “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game” after criticising the performance of referee David Rose following his side’s 22-15 Guinness Premiership defeat against Leicester at Vicarage Road on January 2.
The RFU confirmed in a short statement they will release a full written decision at 4pm today
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