Gloucester lock Dave Attwood will find out the severity of his suspension later this week following his stamp to the face of La Rochelle prop Petrisor Toderasc during their Amlin Challenge cup defeat at Kingsholm last month.
Toderasc, a Romanian front rower, was left badly injured from the incident with initial fears being that he would lose his eyesight. He was admitted to hospital which revealed that his vision had in fact not been affected, and his cheekbone wasnt broken, as had been suspected initially.
He did however get a large scar on his cheek, two broken teeth (which required emergency dental work), and possible tear duct damage in the eye that was struck by Attwoods boot. La Rochelle did advise him not to take legal action though, but they were furious nonetheless.
"We are not happy with any incident like that. It was a reprehensible act an unsporting act. It is dangerous to play like that and there cannot be a place for it on the field. An act like that can have serious consequences, so we have made a declaration to the ERC and provided pictures. Now it is a matter for them," said their president, Vincent Merling.
"Some of his teeth are smashed. Its very serious," he added.
The 23 year old will face a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Thursday this week, which could result in him being ruled out of the England contention for the upcoming Six Nations. While Gloucester itself has suspended him for two weeks, the sanction for stamping ranges from two weeks to a year.
Its not the first time Attwood has been involved in this type of incident. In Australia he got off on a technicality after two incidents during Englands match against the Australian Barbarians were dismissed after a procedural issue.
Attwood spoke recently about his concerns over the controversial incidents.
"The matter never went to trial so I was never found guilty, yet the fact that I got off on a technicality has meant that people think I was guilty of the offence. People will think, 'Ah, hes a piece of work. Hes a bit nasty'.
"I dont want that reputation. Im certainly physical, but Im not a nasty player at all," he added.
UPDATE 06/01/2010:
Attwood has been suspended for nine weeks, ruling him out of some of the Six Nations.
Time: 01:20
0 Comments