Declan Fitzpatrick, the Ulster tighthead prop, has been banned for one week for his strike on Zebre's Andrea Manici in the sides' clash in the Pro12 last weekend.
Fitzpatrick appeared before an independent Pro12 rugby disciplinary committee today following the red card issued to him for striking Manici in the 11th minute of the clash.
The committee, chaired by Simon Thomas, along with Terry Vaux and Robert Williams (all Wales), viewed television footage of the incident and listened to representations made by and on behalf of the player.
They found the incident was at the low end of the IRB sanctions for the type of offence, law 10.4 (a), of striking another player with a hand, arm or fist, carrying a two-week sanction.
The committee decided that in absence of any aggravating factors, and in light of several compelling mitigating factors, including the player's exemplary previous playing record, they would apply a one-week reduction from the entry point and suspended the player from playing for one week.
Fitzpatrick is therefore free to resume playing from next Monday.
The committee added that he has the right of appeal.
