Youngs suspended for one week
Youngs was cited by the match citing commissioner Peter Ferguson (Ireland) for striking the Stade Francais Paris prop Rabah Slimani in the 52nd minute of the European Rugby Champions Cup Round Six match at Stade Jean Bouin.
The independent judicial officer Roger Morris (Wales) heard evidence and submissions from Youngs, who accepted that he committed an act of foul play, from the Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan.
In upholding the citing complaint, the judicial officer found that Youngs had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card. He determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point.
He reduced the sanction by one week due to the player's clean disciplinary record, expression of remorse, good character and good conduct during the hearing before imposing a suspension of one week.
Youngs is free to play on Monday, February 1. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, Scarlets player Maselino Paulino has been suspended for three weeks for a similar offence.
Paulino was cited by the match citing commissioner Yves Thieffine (France) for striking the Northampton Saints second row Courtney Lawes in the 49th minute of their Round Six match at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
Paulino was shown a yellow card for the incident by match referee Pascal Gauzere (France).
In upholding the citing complaint, the judicial officer found that Paulino had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card. He determined that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions and selected five weeks as the appropriate entry point.
He reduced the sanction by two weeks due to the player's timely guilty plea, expression of remorse and good conduct at the hearing before imposing a suspension of three weeks.
Paulino is free to play on Monday, February 15. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Under World Rugby's Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (a), Striking with a hand, arm or fist, carries the following sanction entry points – low end: two weeks; mid-range: five weeks; top end: 8 to 52 weeks.
