Creevy slapped with one-week ban
Creevy has been slapped with a one-week ban for a dangerous tackle in his team's 22-25 loss to the Sharks at the weekend.
SANZAAR judicial officer Robert Stelzner accepted a guilty plea from Creevy for contravening Law 10.4 (e): Dangerous tackling – after he was cited after the match at Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires.
Creevy dangerously tackled the Sharks No.7 Jean Deysel.
As a result of the tackle Deysel was stretchered from the field.
Creevy has been suspended from all forms of the game for one week, up to and including May 22.
SANZAAR judicial officer Robert Stelzner , in his finding, ruled the following: "Agustin Creevy (the Player) and his representatives appeared before me and admitted the dangerous tackling charge as cited.
"I accepted the submission on behalf of the player that he did not deliberately tackle his opponent dangerously or with intent to injure him. He grabbed his opponent around the shoulder area and tried to bring him down to the ground at a time that his opponent was charging forward. The player's version of events was supported by the video footage.
"I formed the view that the contravention was at the lower end of seriousness. In my assessment the offending was not intentional.
"It is not a case of lifting and dropping or driving an opponent nor a neck roll type offence which would have not only made the offending more serious, but would have warranted an increase in sanction based on aggravating factors.
"The fact that his opponent was injured is regrettable, but that was in part also attributable to the opposing player's own momentum, the fluidity of the situation and the player himself being somewhat wrong footed and desperate to stop the charge. He clearly did not do so intentionally.
"This categorisation carries with it a recommended sanction of a two-week suspension.
"I found no aggravating factors to be present. The following mitigating factors apply. The player accepted he had transgressed and pleaded guilty. He is 31 years of age and has a clean playing record having played some 46 games for the Pumas and eight seasons in Europe for clubs such as Biarritz, Montpellier, Clermont.
"His clean record was an important off-field mitigating factor. A 50 percent reduction in sanction in my view is applicable. This results in a one-week suspension
"In the circumstances a suspension of one week, which prevents the player from playing for a week – until after Sunday, May 22, is in my view a meaningful one given that the Jaguares are scheduled to play a match on Saturday against the Lions."
* Meanwhile it was confirmed that Creevy's teammate Leonardo Senatore is to appear before a SANZAAR judicial hearing.
Senatore was cited for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.
Senatore is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (m): Acts contrary to good sportsmanship – Biting, during the match between the Jaguares and Sharks.
The Judicial Committee for the Hearing will be Adam Casselden (Chairman), John Langford and De Wet Barry – which will be held by video conference on Monday, May 16.
