Dallas Jackals flyhalf Martín Elías has been handed a three-week suspension following his red card against the Seawolves on Friday night. He received his marching orders just two minutes into the match at Choctaw Stadium by referee Federico Anselmi.
In the act of jumping to corral a high ball, Elias stuck a boot out which caught Seattle winger Lauina Futi directly in the face. It was the same action that resulted in the suspension of Dallas winger Marcos Moroni following the season opener against Houston.
The judiciary ruled Elías was guilty of foul play under law 9.11 and dished out the same punishment as Moroni received. As a result Elías will miss the upcoming matches against San Diego, Chicago, and England. He will be free to return against Toronto on April 1.
It’s a blow for the Jackals, who have dropped all three of their games this season and are now just one away from tying the Major League Rugby of 20 consecutive defeats. They will at least have sufficient cover with Alejandro Torres likely to stand in at No10 and Adriaan Carelse also an option.