Lavanini Avoids Suspension

Tomás Lavanini has been freed to play in Argentina’s upcoming matches. The Pumas second-rower was red carded playing against South Africa in Salta on Saturday.

The second-rower received two yellow cards in the match, the second automatically became a red card. With Juan Manuel Leguizamón also yellow carded in the match, Argentina played 55 minutes with 14 players.

Upon review the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Lavanini. Chairman Nigel Hampton determined that:

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence of both yellow carded incidents, including all camera angles, as well as submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review committee upheld the red card.

With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee ruled, after considering a number of factors, including the fact that the second yellow card was not for a foul play offense, the effect of the red card both on the match and on the player’s team, and the player being off the field for a total of some 35 minutes, that the player’s ordering off was sufficient in itself and that no further sanction was appropriate in these particular circumstances.

The player is, therefore, free to play and will serve no additional suspension.”