Florian Fritz, the Toulouse player (No 13), is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Hearing at the ERC offices in Dublin on Thursday, 3 February, as a result of the red card he received during the Heineken Cup Pool 6 match against London Wasps at Adams Park on Sunday, 23 January, and as a result of a misconduct complaint made against the player after the match.

The red card was issued in the 47thminute of the second half by referee Alain Rolland (Ireland) for a dangerous tackle on London Wasps wing, Tom Varndell (No 14), in contravention of Law 10.4 (j).

The misconduct complaint has been made against the player for an offensive hand gesture in the direction of spectators as he was leaving the playing area.

The independent Judicial Officer appointed for the hearing is Robert Williams (Wales).

Law 10.4 (j) A player must not drop or drive a player’s head and / or upper body into the ground whilst the player’s feet are off the ground.

Under the IRB Recommended Sanctions for Offences Committed within the Playing Enclosure, Law 10.4 (j) carries the following penalties:

Lower End: 3 weeks

Mid Range: 6 weeks

Top End: 10 to 52 weeks

For a full list of IRB Recommended Sanctions please refer to ercrugby.com by following this link:

http://www.ercrugby.com/images/content/cupstandard/IRB_Sanctions.pdf