Lifeimi MafiThe Irish Rugby Football Union Disciplinary Panel held a hearing to consider a citing complaint against Munster player Lifeimi Mafi from the Leinster v Munster Magners League game on Saturday, 2nd October 2010.

Mafi was cited under both law 10.4 (e) for an alleged dangerous tackle and 10.4 (a) for allegedly punching or striking in the same incident with Leinster player Gordon D’Arcy in the 19th minute of the game.  The hearing took place in the Ulster Branch offices in Ravenhill, Belfast at 4.00pm today, Tuesday, 5th October 2010.  The hearing was chaired by Hugh Logan and he was assisted by Stephen Hilditch and Ian McIlrath.

Having studied the match footage and heard all available evidence, the disciplinary panel found Mafi guilty under law 10.4 (e) for a dangerous tackle and decided that it was at the top end of entry for such an offence.  The panel took into account the players previous good disciplinary record before they imposed a sanction of seven weeks suspension, up to and including Sunday, 21st November 2010.

The player is free to appeal the decision.