Boyoud, Harinordoquy given 3 week ban
Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:54
French forwards Renaud Boyoud and Imanol Harinordoquy were suspended for three weeks each for striking offenses committed during the team's 10-40 loss to Australia.
The two players were found to have punched - in separate instances - Wallabies second rower James Horwill during a melee in the 28th minute of the first half Saturday's second test in Brisbane.
Both players pleaded guilty to striking offenses during the first half of the match after being called to answer charged laid by citing commissioner John West of Ireland.
The players appeared before judicial officer Christopher Quinlan of England.
The suspensions for Boyoud and Harinordoquy will start on August 1. They will be free to play from August 22.
Quinlan said both offenses were in the midrange of seriousness.
He found Harinordoquy threw "deliberate and repeated blows to the head/face of the Australian lock".
Boyoud was found to have struck Horwill once "but it was a significant blow, struck from behind".
Sapa-AP
