SYDNEY - Scotland flanker Martin Leslie had his suspension for foul play reduced from 12 weeks to eight yesterday by a rugby World Cup appeal committee.
Tournament officials released a brief statement saying a three-man appeal committee, Canadian Graeme Mew, Australian John Freedman and Guillermo Tragant of Argentina, had agreed to
shorten the ban after Leslie appealed.
Officials said details of the appeal committee's findings would not be released until Thursday.
Scotland coach Ian McGeechan said he had hoped Leslie would be cleared.
"We are disappointed," McGeechan said.
"We feel it is out of proportion in comparison with other incidents that have gone on in the tournament. Martin Leslie can feel hard done by."
Leslie, a New Zealander, was originally banned for 12 weeks for kneeing United States back Jason Keyter in the head during a pool B match in Brisbane.
Leslie had pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing he had simply been trying to clear the centre out of a ruck, but tournament judicial officer Terry Willis disagreed and suspended him from until January 12.
An eight-week ban still rules Leslie out of the rest of the World Cup, which finishes on November 22.
- REUTERS
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