Uruguay second-row Ignacio Dotti appeared at a hearing before independent Judicial Officer Robert Stelzner SC (South Africa) on 26 November, 2017 in Windhoek having been cited by independent Citing Commissioner Deker Govender (South Africa) for striking Namibia second-row Ruan Ludick in the head with his elbow during the second test played at the Hage Geingob Stadium on 25 November, 2017.
Dotti admitted that he had struck Ludick as alleged in attempting to free himself from his grasp.
Mr Stelzner received evidence from Dotti, the Namibian player and doctor and the match officials and submissions from Dotti’s team manager.
He determined that in keeping with the World Rugby Council direction in the sanctions table to protect players’ heads this was mid-range offending, which carries a six-week entry point. Mr Stelzner did not consider there were any aggravating factors but found there were various mitigating factors, including Dotti’s early acceptance of his conduct and good record. Mr Stelzner reduced the sanction by the maximum 50 per cent permitted under the regulations. He suspended Dotti for his next three scheduled weeks of rugby which, due to the impending off-season, means Dotti is suspended until 6 January, 2018.
The full written decision is available here.