Melck's red card dismissed

The Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing into red card issued against Saracens loose forward Justin Melck determined that the charge should be dismissed.

This follows an incident in the of Premiership Round 22 encounter between Sarries and Leicester Tigers last Saturday.

Melck is free to play with immediate effect and the red card comes off his record.

Jeremy Summers, chairman of the hearing, said contact with the eye is a "serious offence".

"However, having considered reports from the Leicester Tigers, the Citing Commissioner and Melck, I was satisfied that there had in fact been no contact with the eye/eye area," Summers said.

"In those circumstances the red card was rescinded and no sanction was imposed."

Melck had been charged with an act contrary to good sportsmanship, contrary to Law 10.4(m), for allegedly making contact with the eye(s) or eye area of Leicester Tigers hooker Neil Briggs.

The RFU Panel comprised of Jeremy Summers (chairman), Liz Riley and Peter Budge.