Flannery gambles with appeal over six-week ban

DISCIPLINARY NEWS:JERRY FLANNERY will appear before a Six Nations Championship appeals panel today in the hope of having a six-week suspension reduced but aware the ban could be increased.

The Ireland hooker received the ban for a wild lunge on French wing Alexis Palisson in Paris last month.

The Irishman was immediately contrite after the incident and at the original disciplinary hearing intimated his actions warranted a straight red card. His remorse was taken into account and what might have been an eight-week ban – his potential punishment ranged primarily between four and 12 weeks – was reduced to six because he didn’t contest his guilt.

The Ireland management decided to wait for the written verdict before considering an appeal. Last week Flannery confirmed he would be appealing a suspension that rules him out of the remainder of the Six Nations.

But it is a decision that carries an element of risk as the Six Nations disciplinary officer, Jon Davis, has responded with a cross-appeal to comply with European legislation.

Two years ago Davis found that when Mauro Bergamasco, the Italy flanker, was given a stiffer sentence by an appeals panel for gouging, the additional punishment was not recognised in the civil court in France.

Davis’ action therefore allows the hearing for Flannery to increase as well as confirm or decrease the present sanction. The original ban would see Flannery sidelined until March 29th, 12 days before Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Northampton Saints at Thomond Park.

The only match for which he would be eligible between the time his suspension finishes and the European quarter-final is a Magners League game against Leinster at Thomond Park on Friday, April 2nd.

The appeal will be chaired by judge Jeff Blackett, the disciplinary chief of English RFU, assisted by Italy’s Marco Cordelli and Douglas Hunter of Scotland.

There’s no doubt Flannery is taking a risk because, to quote the original statement, “the committee also took account of the guilty plea by the player, who acknowledged at the outset that his action warranted a red card, together with the player’s remorse for the injury caused to Alexis Palisson, the France wing”.

Meanwhile, Stade Français prop David Attoub must wait until Friday to see if his appeal against a 70-week ban for gouging Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris during a Heineken Cup match at Ravenhill has been successful.

An ERC independent appeal committee sat in London yesterday to consider the case, and Attoub’s plea against both the finding of foul play and level of sanction imposed by an independent judicial officer in January.

The committee, chaired by Prof Lorne Crerar (Scotland), with Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Robert Williams (Wales), adjourned the hearing to consider the respective submissions made on behalf of Attoub and ERC, and will give its decision on Friday.

Pat Barriscale (Ireland) was originally named as a member of the appeal committee but withdrew and was replaced by Williams.