Namibian coach David Waterston has confirmed he has cited Ireland lock Paul O'Connell for trampling on Archie Graham during Sunday's Pool A clash.
The incident occurred during the second half of Ireland's 64-7 win in Sydney and left Waterston unimpressed.
"I regard the incident as unsavoury," he said. "It was going to be picked up by the disciplinary panel anyway but I told Eddie O'Sullivan of our thoughts on the matter."
"We don't normally cite opposition players when we lose but I regard this as of such magnitude that we had no alternative."
O'Connell indicated to referee Andrew Cole that he had not he not seen Graham on the ground when he trampled on him. However, that view was rejected by Waterston.
"I don't understand how he can say that because he went back and stepped on him a second time," he said.
If O'Connell is found guilty of the offence he could face a ban of 12 weeks, immediately ending his involvement in the tournament.
Coach Eddie O'Sullivan said the Irish camp had still not been formally informed of the citing, but confirmed he would be mounting a vigorous defence of the second-row.
"I am a bit surprised," he said. "Both the referee and touch judge saw it and decided it was worth a penalty only. If Paul had received a yellow card it might have been different."
"I don't understand how the Namibians think Paul could have seen where he was putting his feet. He had his back to the play and was being driven forward. I was pretty worried he was going to fall over the lad, which could have been quite nasty."
The IRB have 48 hours to decide whether they will call O'Connell for a hearing, which would be held in Sydney.
Filed by Neil Callanan
