Burger suspension reduced to two matches

From The Times.co.za
Sapa Published:Sep 13, 2007

The RWC 2007 appeal committee today reduced Springbok flanker Schalk Burger’s four match suspension to two matches.

This was announced following an appeal hearing by the RWC appeal committee comprising chairman justice Wyn Williams, Bruce Squire QC and judge Guillermo Tragant, into the incident where Burger tackled a Samoan player in the air during the Boks’ opening match on Sunday.

The committee determined that the judicial officer had made an error in his first instance decision, in that he was wrong to find that the player was not at any time during the incident intending to win the ball.

"On the basis of the video evidence and the transcript of the initial hearing the appeal committee decided the player was attempting to win the ball for a significant part of the time involved.

"However, the committee found that the player ultimately realised that he was not going to catch the ball and instinctively adjusted his approach to tackle the opposing player.

"The committee concluded that the tackle was a dangerous tackle but noted that that the arm of Burger was withdrawn following contact with the opposing player.

"The committee decided the offence should be categorised as a lower level entry offence rather than a mid range offence and the suspension was reduced to two matches," the statement says.

Burger will therefore miss tomorrow evenings match against England as well as next Saturday’s match against Tonga.