Three-week ban for French puncher Mohamed Haouas

The France tighthead prop Mohamed Haouas, who blatantly punched Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie on Sunday has been banned for three weeks.

Three-week ban for French puncher Mohamed Haouas, right. Picture: Getty Images

The Montpellier player landed a blow on Ritchie late in a tighty-contested first half at BT Murrayfield but his obvious red card opened the door for Scotland to run in a thrilling 28-17 win over the Grand Slam chasers.

Haouas,appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee in London today.

The Six Nations statement said: "Mr Haouas had received a red card in the match in the Guinness Six Nations Championship between Scotland and France on 8 March 2020 at BT Murrayfield. The red card was issued for an infringement of Law 9.12 (striking) when, in the 36th minute of the match, he struck the Scotland flanker, Jamie Ritchie.

"Mr Haouas accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.

"The Disciplinary Committee, which comprised Roger Morris (Wales), Leon Lloyd (England) and Lawrence Sephaka (South Africa), heard evidence and submissions from Mr Haouas and his legal counsel, Louis Weston (as well as from Six Nations’ legal representative). The Disciplinary Committee found that Mr Haouas had committed an act of foul play (an infringement of Law 9.12) and that it had warranted a red card.

"The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by three weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including good conduct, guilty plea and relative inexperience at international level). Mr Haouas is therefore suspended for three weeks and, given his playing schedule, he is free to resume playing on Tuesday, 14 April 2020. He was reminded of his right of appeal."