Watch: Chris Ashton Has Been Cited For This Incident With Luke Marshall
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We reported earlier that Chris Ashton was lucky to get away with only being penalised for an apparent eye gouge on Ulster’s Luke Marshall this past weekend, but it seems we have spoken too soon as the Saracens wing has indeed been cited.
If found guilty, he faces a minimum 12-week suspension that would rule him out of England’s Six Nations campaign.
“EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Saracens wing, Chris Ashton (No 14), following the European Rugby Champions Cup Round 5 match against Ulster Rugby on Saturday, 16 January 2016,” read a statement.
“Ashton is alleged to have made contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area of the Ulster centre, Luke Marshall (No 13), in the 16th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (m). The complaint was by the match Citing Commissioner, Yves Thieffine (France).
“Jean-Noel Couraud (France) has been appointed as the independent Judicial Officer for the disciplinary hearing which will take place in London on Wednesday 20 January 2016.”
The low end punishment for such an offence is 24 weeks with the worst cases resulting in life-time bans. The incident occurred in the first-half of his Clermont side’s defeat at the Liberty Stadium as Kolelishvili grew frustrated with Barnes’ positioning.
The Georgian then shoved the English official as Ospreys prepared to launch another attack, leading to cries of derision from the crowd.
Source: Independent.ie
