"As South Africa closed in on a record 73-0 victory in Cardiff, Etzebeth clashed with the Welsh back-rower Alex Mann, appearing to make contact with his opponent's left eye in a fracas involving several players from both sides. With two minutes left at the Principality Stadium, the 34-year-old was shown a permanent red card by the referee, Luc Ramos, after a review with the television match official, Eric Gauzins. You have a clear finger in the eyes, so for me, it's a permanent red card, Ramos said during the review."
"The maximum ban for making intentional contact with an opponent's eyes is four years, while an offence at the lowest end of the scale may result in a four-week suspension. A mid-range offence could involve an eight-week ban and a top-end offence 12 weeks, with any ban's length potentially reduced in light of his previously good disciplinary record, and other submissions made by Etzebeth's team."
"I don't know what I can say now that won't be controversial, Rassie Erasmus, South Africa's head coach, said on Saturday. It didn't look good, I think it was a justified red card. How it happened and why it happened, and if he was provoked, I'm not sure. But that's definitely not the way we would have liked to end the game."
Eben Etzebeth received a permanent red card for apparent contact with Alex Mann's left eye during South Africa's dominant 73-0 win in Cardiff. The referee issued the red card after consultation with the television match official and stated there was clear finger contact in the eyes. A disciplinary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday with a verdict expected on Wednesday. Potential sanctions range from a four-week suspension to a four-year ban for intentional eye contact, with mid-range penalties of eight to 12 weeks. Factors such as a previously good record and Etzebeth's reported apology to Mann may reduce any sanction. A ban would affect the Sharks' upcoming Champions Cup fixtures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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