NSW Waratahs centre Izaia Perese has appeared before the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Mike Mika and Stefan Terblanche after being issued with a red card during his team’s match against the QLD Reds at Suncorp Stadium, last Friday.
Perese was charged with a breach of Law 9.18 of the Laws of the Game: A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:
"In submissions to the hearing, Perese pleaded guilty to the citing under Law 9.18.
With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee were cognisant of the fact that recent amendments to Appendix 1 of Regulation 17 meant that World Rugby’s directive, that any incident of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or neck shall result in at least a mid-range section, did not apply to a contravention of Law 9.18.
The Foul Play Review Committee, having conducted a detailed review of all of the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, determined that the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 6 weeks. This was primarily due to the reckless rather than intentional nature of the action which ultimately placed Perese’s opponent in a vulnerable position but which did not cause an injury to the opponent.
When taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's clean judicial record and the fact the Player pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced his suspension to 3 weeks.”
"The Player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including Friday 19 March 2021.”
Perese will be available for selection for the Waratahs Round 6 match against the QLD Reds.
