Montpellier number eight Zach Mercer has had the red card issued to him against Exeter Chiefs in their Champions Cup round-of-16 clash rescinded.
The England international was given his marching orders by Irish referee Andrew Brace early in the second period for a dangerous tackle on Christ Tshiunza.
Despite drawing the game 33-33, Montpellier ended up being dumped out of the competition on try-count, with Exeter progressing to the European last-eight.
Mercer was red carded in the 49th minute of the game at Sandy Park.
“An independent disciplinary committee viewed footage of the incident and heard evidence by video conference from Mercer, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card,” tournament organiser European Professional Club Rugby said in a statement on Wednesday.
A nightmare moment for Montpellier star man, Zach Mercer, as he sees red for a high tackle… 😳#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/nF07pwP8Ag
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 2, 2023
“The committee decided that although Mercer had committed an act of foul play, the tackle did not warrant a red card. The sending off was therefore dismissed, and Mercer is free to play.”
Four weeks for Georges-Henri Colombe
Elsewhere, La Rochelle prop Georges-Henri Colombe has been suspended for four weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising after the weekend.
Colombe was cited by the match citing commissioner, Beth Dickens (Scotland), for carrying out a dangerous clear-out at a ruck on Gloucester back-row Ruan Ackermann in the 68th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.11.
An independent disciplinary committee comprising Antony Davies (England), Chair Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Frank Hadden (Scotland) viewed footage of the incident and heard evidence by video conference from Colombe, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.
The committee also heard submissions from La Rochelle director of rugby Ronan O’Gara, sporting director Robert Mohr and from the EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan. The club’s legal representative, Yves-Marie Fève, was also present during the hearing.
I will call things out when they need calling out.
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A yellow card. Ridiculous.
pic.twitter.com/enwD9Qfpwz
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) April 2, 2023
The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Colombe had committed a reckless act of foul play. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions, and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his timely apology to Ackermann, the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.
If La Rochelle qualify for the Champions Cup semi-finals, Colombe will be free to play on Monday, May 1, however, if they do not qualify, he will be free to play on Monday, May 8.
Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.