The Springbok flanker has been handed a three-match suspension in the United Rugby Championship (URC) as a consequence of his red card during the Bulls’ Round five encounter against Edinburgh.
Marcell Coetzee, a capped Springbok flanker, has received a three-match suspension following his red card incident while playing for the Bulls against Edinburgh in Round five of the URC.
Coetzee’s expulsion came after a high tackle on Edinburgh’s Pierre Schoeman early in the second half of the match.
There is a possibility for Coetzee to have his suspension reduced by one game if he successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.
Despite having a previously commendable disciplinary record, Coetzee will still miss a crucial series of matches for the Bulls due to the suspension.
The decision regarding Coetzee’s ban states: “Following an act of foul play by Coetzee, referee Chris Busby issued a Red Card to the player in the 42nd minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late, or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
“In the player’s responses to the independent Disciplinary Committee overseeing the disciplinary process (Ben Rutherford, Chair (IRFU), Donal Courtney (IRFU), Jan Gedrych (WRU)), he accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but contested that it warranted a Red Card.
“The Committee considered all of the evidence against the High Contact Process and found that the incident did meet the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting 6 weeks.
“The Player received three weeks (50%) mitigation due, in particular, to his previously exemplary disciplinary record which results in a three-game suspension.
“Should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, the sanction will be reduced by one game.”
