Ireland have received a major boost after Tadhg Beirne’s red card against the All Blacks was rescinded by an independent disciplinary committee.
The 33-year-old lock was sent off in the 26-13 defeat in Chicago after a bunker review upgraded his yellow card for dangerous play under Law 9.13, which prohibits tackling an opponent early, late, or above the shoulders.
Beirne appeared before a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday evening to contest the sanction, and the committee ultimately ruled in his favour.
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“Having considered the player’s and other evidence and reviewed the footage, the disciplinary committee accepted the player’s submissions that while an act of foul play had occurred, it did not meet the red-card threshold,” the official statement read.
The hearing was chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC, with former international referee Wayne Erickson (Australia) and ex-England player Becky Essex assisting.
The decision means Beirne is free to face Japan this weekend and available for Ireland’s remaining November Tests against the Wallabies and Springboks.
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