Munster player's three-match ban upheld after appeal

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Munster's John Ryan will miss three games after an Appeal Panel upheld the original disciplinary panel decision following an appeal by Munster.

In the Round 13 United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Cardiff, the Citing Commissioner in charge reported Ryan for an act of foul play which resulted in a yellow card under Law 9.18 - a player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

On Wednesday, April 3, a disciplinary panel consisting of Robert Milligan (Chair, SRU), Rod McKenzie (SRU) and Stefan Terblanche (SARU) found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of low range warranting a six-game suspension. The player received 50 percent mitigation and reduced suspension to three games.

The player exercised his right to appeal on Thursday, April 4. An Appeal Panel consisting of Declan Goodwin (Chair, Wales), Achille Reali & Andrea Caranci (both Italy) met Friday to review. The appeal was not accepted and the original Disciplinary Panel sanction remains.

Fixtures John Ryan is unavailable for:

• Northampton Saints v Munster, April 7, Champions Cup
• **Champions Cup QuarterfFinal, April 12/13/14
• Bulls v Munster, April 20, URC
• Lions v Munster, April 27, URC

**Should Munster not qualify for the Champions Cup Quarter Final, the fixture against Emirates Lions will stand as the third game suspension.