Haskell handed one-week ban
September 23 2008
Wasps flank James Haskell has been suspended for one week after being found guilty of dangerous 'clearing out' during last week's Guinness Premiership match against Worcester.
A Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing announced on Tuesday that the England international is free to play again on September 30, but will miss this Friday's domestic meeting with Leicester at Welford Road.
It is another blow for the Premiership champions, whose season has started with successive defeats against London Irish, Worcester and new boys Northampton.
But it could have been a lot worse for Haskell, who had initially been cited for a head-butt.
The disciplinary panel, chaired by His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, decided that Haskell had been provoked - by Greg Rawlinson landing a series of punches to Phil Vickery's head - and that Haskell had also tried to ask the referee to intervene at the time before taking matters into his own hands.
They also downgraded the initial charge of the head-butt to that of dangerous clearing out, having reviewed the video which saw Haskell leading with his arm before his head.
Lock Richard Birkett avoided suspension after being cited for stamping in the same game and has been reprimanded and warned by the disciplinary panel chaired by Judge Blackett.