Pascal Pape
France's Pascal Pape (R) is shown a yellow card during their Six Nations rugby union match against Ireland at the Aviva stadium in Dublin February 14, 2015. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

French lock Pascal Pape has been suspended for 10 weeks by a Six Nations Disciplinary Committee for kneeing Jamie Heaslip of Ireland in the back during a match at the Aviva Stadium. As a result of the punishment, Papewill miss the rest of the Six Nations tournament, which is slated to run until March 21, 2015. Pape, however, has also been granted the right to appeal against the suspension.

According to a report on RBS 6 Nations’ website, Pape appeared before an independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee headed by Rod McKenzie, Bill Dunlop and Ian Unsworth. The committee reviewed all the angles of the incident that left Heaslip with three fractured vertebrae and felt that Pape should have been awarded with a red card instead of a yellow card. The yellow card was given by referee Wayne Barnes during Ireland’s 18-11 win over France on Feb. 14.

The punishment certainly could have been worse for Pape. The committee categorised the offense “at the top end of World Rugby’s scale of seriousness and set an entry point of a 15-week suspension.” Pape has been cited under Law 10.4 (a), wherein “a player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).”

In the end, the suspension was reduced by a third because the 34-year-old Frenchman expressed deep regret for the offence he committed. In a Twitter post, Pape apologised to Heaslip, who immediately accepted Pape’s request for forgiveness.

Following the announcement of Pape’s punishment, the French lock tweeted in his native French language that he doesn’t understand such serious decision. He included a hashtag “#toujourspasintentionnel,” which translates to “still not intentional.” It is not certain whether or not Pape’s tweet is in connection with the verdict that the Six Nations Disciplinary Committee handed to him.

Meanwhile, France is currently in third place in the league table with two points. England and Ireland are tied in the first place with four points apiece. France’s next game will be against Wales on Feb. 28. Romain Taofifenua is expected to start at lock in place of Pape.

Video source: YouTube/RBS 6 Nations

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