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Houston SaberCats hooker Axel Zapata has been handed a four-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on New York Ironworkers Jason Emery. The incident occurred shortly after the 76-minute mark of Sunday’s match at Mount Vernon. Emery was sent from the field for an HIA immediately afterwards.
Here’s the hit on Jason Emery that resulted in a four-week suspension for Axel Zapata. #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/FxvhhB5puI
— Bryan Ray (@raysrugby) April 29, 2023
Officials reviewed the play during the match but it was determined that foul play did not occur. The judiciary disagreed with that assessment, and determined that the tackle was a mid-range offense worthy of a red card. As a result Zapata will miss the next four games and won’t be eligible to play for Houston again until the June 3 match in Toronto.
Zapata had replaced captain Dean Muir at halftime during the match. No injury to Muir was obvious during the broadcast but he will not be suiting up in Sunday’s match at San Diego. US Eagles veteran Joe Taufete’e has signed on from Leicester and will slot straight into the lineup in the No2 shirt.
