EPCR appealing decision to overturn Josh Caulfield red card

The Bristol Bears second rower was sent off during their game against Connacht in the Champions Cup for stamping on Connacht prop Finlay Bealham

APPEALING DECISION: The EPCR is appealing the decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee which overturned the red card issued to Bristol Bears second rower Josh Caulfield during the Investec Champions Cup round four match against Connacht Rugby at Dexcom Stadium on Friday January 19. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The EPCR is appealing the decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee which overturned the red card issued to Bristol Bears second rower Josh Caulfield during the Investec Champions Cup round four match against Connacht Rugby at Dexcom Stadium on Friday January 19.

Caufield was sent off by match referee Pierre Brousset of France in the 13th minute of the game for stamping on Connacht and Ireland prop Finlay Bealham breaching Law 9.12. The law states "Law 9.12 A player must not stamp on an opponent Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12, stamping or trampling, carries the following sanction entry points."

RED CARD: Josh Caufield was sent off by match referee Pierre Brousset of France in the 13th minute of the game for stamping on Connacht and Ireland prop Finlay Bealham. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

The independent Disciplinary Committee found that Caulfield had committed an act of foul play but it decided that the offence did not warrant a red card and the red card decision was overturned. Caulfield in his evidence did not accept he committed foul play and submissions were also made by his legal representative Sam Jones.  

An independent Appeal Committee will hear on the matter via video conference tomorrow Tuesday January 30. The committee will comprise of Sir James Dingemans KC (England) as Chair, Jean-Noël Couraud (France) and Donal Courtney (Ireland).