Sean O'Brien is free to play in the British and Irish Lions' Test series decider with New Zealand after being cleared of dangerous play following a citing from the tourists' Wellington victory on Saturday.
The Ireland flanker had been cited for allegedly striking All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo in the Lions' 24-21 win over their hosts at the Westpac Stadium.
But, following a hearing that lasted nearly four hours, O'Brien's citing was dismissed by a disciplinary panel, clearing the way for the Leinster and Ireland flanker to take the field at Eden Park this weekend.
The incident in question occurred in the 59th minute and forced Naholo off the pitch for a HIA, which he did not return from.
Australian citing commissioner Scott Nowland deemed O’Brien’s actions to have "met the threshold for a red card", but the hearing panel did not see fit to punish the back row.
The incident had evoked memories of the 2015 World Cup, when Sean O'Brien missed Ireland's quarter-final defeat by Argentina after being suspended for punching France's Pascal Pape, but this time, the Tullow man will not miss out.
O'Brien said: "Firstly, I hope Waisake is OK. I'd like to thank the panel for carefully considering the case and I am looking forward to re-joining the whole squad to prepare for the final Test."
Lions head coach Warren Gatland added: "We'd like to thank the panel for their professional and diligent approach. Sean is a tough but fair player and we are pleased that the panel dismissed the citing."
Earlier, a disciplinary panel handed All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams a four-week suspension following his red card, in what was a feisty second Test, for a head-high shoulder-charge tackle on Anthony Watson.
He pleaded guilty to unnecessary contact to the head at a judicial hearing. and so will miss the third Test in Auckland next weekend.
"Sonny is disappointed. Not for himself. He accepts that he made a mistake and he's disappointed that he has let the team down," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
"One of our biggest mantras is the team comes first and he knows he has let the team down, but we can't go back and change it.
"People make mistakes. It's a fluid game, a fast game and a physical game. Unfortunately, he's made a mistake and we've got to move on from it.
"Sonny has paid a big price and the team has paid a big price for him making a mistake, and we have to wear the decision. That's just the way it goes."
The All Blacks have now called up centre Malakai Fekitoa to their squad ahead of the winner-takes-all clash in Auckland.
WILLIAMS: "I've got in contact with Anthony and I've apologised to him..." #NZLvBIL
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 2, 2017
WILLIAMS: "...but very disappointed that I was sent from the field last night and let my brothers down." #NZLvBIL
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 2, 2017
