Clermont lock Jamie Cudmore has been handed a five week ban for striking Paul O’Connell in his side’s Heineken Cup clash with Munster.
An independent Disciplinary Committee was convened in London to consider if any further action was required following the sending-off of Cudmore in the Heineken Cup Round 4 Pool 1 match against Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday, 13 December, 2008.
The player was sent off by English referee Chris White in the 18th minute for punching.
The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan (England) and also comprised Peter Brown (Scotland) and John Glackin (Ireland).
After considering the evidence available, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the offence was of the mid-range in the level of seriousness for a striking offence.
Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors, the Committee suspended Cudmore for a period of five weeks, from the date of the match Saturday 13 December up to and including Sunday 18 January 2009.
