Billy Vunipola’s red card he received during Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup clash against the Bulls in South Africa has been overturned.
It means that the England number eight is free to play immediately, making him available for Saturday’s European appointment with Connacht.
Vunipola was sent off early in the second half by Italian referee Andrea Piardi for a dangerous strike to the head area of Bulls forward Cameron Hanekom.
The 31-year-old, who appeared by video link before an independent disciplinary panel, accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but he did not accept it warranted a red card.
👨⚖️ | 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘.@bvunipola has had his red card against the Bulls overturned.
He is therefore free to play immediately.
🖱️ https://t.co/N8fFHgKWOO#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/VzrWdnk6heAdvertisement— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) December 13, 2023
Tournament organiser European Professional Club Rugby said: “The committee determined that Vunipola had committed an act of foul play.
“However, it decided that there was insufficient force in the contact to Hanekom’s head to warrant a red card, and the red card was therefore overturned.
“Vunipola is free to play immediately, and EPCR has the right to appeal the decision.”
Saracens were beaten 27-16 by the Bulls in the first of their four Champions Cup pool games.
ℹ️ Kalaveti Ravouvou has had his citing complaint dismissed following an independent Disciplinary Hearing and is free to play immediately.
Read the full verdict 👇— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) December 13, 2023
A citing complaint against Bristol wing Kalaveti Ravouvou, meanwhile, has been dismissed.
Ravouvou was yellow-carded following a tackle on Lyon’s Alexandre Tchaptchet during a Champions Cup fixture at Ashton Gate.
EPCR added: “The committee determined that Ravouvou had committed an act of foul play and that the match officials were not wrong in issuing him with a yellow card.
“However, it decided that his actions did not warrant a red card and the citing complaint was dismissed. Ravouvou is free to play immediately.”
