Italy props Andrea Lovotti and Nicola Quaglio have been handed respective three-game suspensions following their dangerous tackle against South Africa.
Lovotti received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.18 (lifting tackle) in their Rugby World Cup game on October 4. Italy replacement prop Quaglio was cited by citing commissioner John Montgomery (Scotland) for his involvement in the same tackle on Springbok number eight Duane Vermeulen.
Is this rugby or WWE?!
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) October 4, 2019
“Blue 1️⃣ is the worst offender of those two”
Andrea Lovotti is OFF 🔴#RWC2019 #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/kh5yAzKO3T
The players attended a disciplinary hearing in Tokyo on Sunday before an independent judicial panel chaired by Sir James Dingemans (England) with former international player Olly Kohn (Wales) and former Scotland coach Frank Hadden (Scotland).
Lovotti admitted the act of foul play and accepted that it warranted a red card. Quaglio accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but denied that it met the red card threshold. Having considered all the evidence and after hearing from the players and their legal representative, the panel upheld the citing against Quaglio and imposed a sanction of three matches for both players.
The players will both miss Italy’s remaining pool match against New Zealand on October 12. The balance of the suspension will be served in the Rugby World Cup quarter and semi-final should Italy progress. If Italy does not progress, the balance of the suspensions will be served in the players’ upcoming PRO14 matches.