Perpignan appeals against 'masquerade'
Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:18
Perpignan has appealed against the 18-week suspension of hooker Marius Tincu, condemning it as scandalous, grotesque, a masquerade and the decision of a banana republic.
The incident occurred in Swansea when Perpignan played the Ospreys and a scrum erupted. Paul James, the Ospreys prop, lashed out and knocked Tincu to the ground. Both were cited.
Tincu was found guilty of "foul play in that he had made contact with the eye/eye area of Paul James in contravention of Law 10.4 (k)" 18 weeks is the middle suspension for "contact with the eyes" between 12 and 24 weeks.
After the disciplinary hearing had considered the nature of the act and mitigating circumstances, it suspended James for a week.
On its website Perpignan made known its intention to appeal. It believes that there is no evidence of any such act by Tincu - not on the video evidence and not from any mark to James's face. It said the decision was "quite simply scandalous, even grotesque", a shameful decision "worthy of a banana republic".
Perpignan is determined to fight the matter, even in the civil courts if needs be.
