Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi has received a three-match suspension for foul play during the Vodacom URC encounter against Cardiff at the Arms Park.

Mapimpi was involved in a scuffle with Cardiff replacement hooker Efan Daniel, who pulled the 34-year-old’s jersey over his head. The Sharks finisher was accused of making contact with Daniel’s eye during the exchange.

The citing commissioner in charge reported Mapimpi for an act of foul play under Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

In the player’s responses to the judicial officer overseeing the disciplinary process, he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card.

The judicial officer found that the incident met the red-card threshold, with a lower-end entry point warranting four weeks.

Mapimpi received two weeks (50%) mitigation due to his apology and participation in the disciplinary process. He was previously cited for a similar offence in the 2022-23 EPCR season which resulted in suspension. This was considered an aggravating factor, warranting a further one-week sanction and a three-game suspension.

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