"Free to Play" – Bulls back David Kriel not banned after red card against Ospreys

Yesterday at 05:23 AM

The United Rugby Championship has issued a statement, providing an update on the disciplinary process related to Bulls midfielder David Kriel. The South African was sent off for leading with his forearm into a tackle, in last weekend’s fixture against the Ospreys in Swansea.

Kriel was sent off in the 49th minute of the match, yet has been cleared to play the next available fixture for the Vodacom Bulls. The disciplinary panel decided that the act of foul play was not intentional, with mitigating factors retrospectively applied to rescind any ban. The statement from the URC can be read in full below:

STATEMENT: “The Disciplinary process related to David Kriel’s Red Card in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4 game against Ospreys on Saturday October 12 has been rescinded.

“The Player (David Kriel, No 12) received a Red Card in the 49th minute of the game under Law 9.11 – Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.

“The Panel overseeing the disciplinary process Roddy Dunlop KC (Chair, Scotland), Donal Courtney and Gordon Black (both Ireland), found that while an act of foul play had occurred and the Player made contact with the neck area of the tackler, a combination of factors (including the Player’s attempt at a hand-off to protect himself, the speed & height of the tackling player, and the low force of the contact in question) was such that the Player had established, on balance of probability, that a red card should not have been issued. The card was thus rescinded.

“As a result, the Player is now free to play and available for selection this weekend.”

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