Mack Hansen has been hit with a six-week ban, but the winger will be free to play for Ireland in the Six Nations.
A disciplinary panel on Thursday upheld a charge of misconduct against the winger for comments he made criticising the match officials following Connacht's loss to Leinster in the URC last month.
Half of the ban has been suspended following an apology from Hansen, who says his comments were 'ill-advised' and fell short of the standards expected of him.
He will miss Connacht's Challenge Cup matches with Lyon and Cardiff, as well as their URC game with Glasgow later this month.
Mack Hansen released a statement on the official Connacht Rugby website about the ban.
“People know I always wear my heart on my sleeve. However after the Leinster game, on this occasion, I let my emotions get the better of me.
"Upon reflection, my comments to the media were ill-advised, and fell far short of the standards I expect of myself, and what the sport expects of its players.
"I want to offer an apology to the match officials for any distress my comments may have caused. Our games are built on mutual respect and I didn’t show that after the game."
He apologised to URC and said he fully accepts the findings of the independent disciplinary panel.
"I love Connacht, and I love rugby. Moving forward, I will channel all my energy and passion into representing my province and country to the absolute best of my ability – both on and off the field," he said.
