Fouche sanction stands after failed appeal

Stormers tighthead prop Neethling Fouche’s controversial four-game ban stands after a URC disciplinary panel dismissed an appeal by the cape side.

Fouche was dismissed for what was deemed to be a dangerous tackle on centre Ben Carson during a URC defeat by Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in round 14 of the competition.

Last week, a disciplinary process found the prop guilty of foul play and imposed the hefty suspension.

Struggling to accept the punishment against the player, who has an otherwise exemplary record – just one technical yellow card in 77 matches across four seasons of the URC, the Stormers this week challenged Fouche’s sanction.

“An appeal panel upheld the original disciplinary panel decision,” stated the URC on Thursday.

While Fouche will miss the remainder of the Stormers’ URC league campaign, his sanction will be reduced by a week should the 32-year-old complete a World Rugby coaching intervention programme. Written by Ntsako Mkhari