Rugby: Head stomping earns three week suspension

Jean Deysel (L) of the Sharks is red carded by referee Rohan Hoffmann during the round 14 Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Sharks. Photo / Getty Images.

Sharks flanker Jean Deysel has been suspended for three weeks following his Super Rugby red card against the Crusaders on Saturday night.

A Sanzar judicial hearing accepted a guilty plea from Deysel for contravening Law 10.4 (b) stamping or trampling.

The referee for the match, Rohan Hoffman, issued a red card for the incident which occurred in the 16th minute.

Deysel has been suspended for three weeks up to and including Saturday, June 7.

The Sanzar judicial hearing held via video conference on Tuesday night (NZ Time) was heard by Jannie Lubbe SC, who ruled: ''Deysel tackled Crusaders' loose forward Jordan Taufua, near the Sharks' goal line after Taufua illegally held on to the foot of Deysel, preventing him from joining the line of defence.

"In order to free himself, Deysel stamped with his boot on Taufua and made contact with the neck/head area of the player. Taufua sustained a minor injury to his mouth but was able to complete the match and subsequently provided helpful testimony that supported the medical evidence.

"The entry level of the offence was categorised as mid-level which carries a five week suspension after applying section 9.5 of Appendix 1 of the SANZAR disciplinary rules.

"The period of suspension was reduced to three weeks as a result of compelling mitigating factors including Deysel apologising to Taufua after the game, who accepted the apology. He was also a senior player with a good record over a long career.''