England and Sale wing Denny Solomona has been banned until 8 May for making a homophobic slur in a Premiership match against Worcester last month.
Solomona disputed the charge but was found guilty by the RFU panel and given an initial six-week suspension.
The alleged comments have been reported to include the word ‘f**got’.
The winger went in front of a disciplinary panel, where he was found guilty. Panel chair Samantha Hillas said:
The panel found that the player used language that was verbally abusive on more than one occasion in quick succession.
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The comments were offensive and have no place on the rugby field. However, the panel accepted that they were said in the heat of the moment rather than premeditated.
The normal sanction for this kind of behaviour is six weeks, but due to ‘mitigating circumstances’ Solomona was given a four week ban.