KEY POINTS:
PARIS - United States centre Paul Emerick was suspended for five weeks by a rugby World Cup judicial hearing here on Wednesday (NZ time) for a dangerous tackle on England's Olly Barkley, a ban that effectively rules him out of the rest of the tournament.
The ban rules
Emerick, 27, out of the Eagles' remaining pool matches against Tonga on September 13, Samoa on September 27 and South Africa on October 1.
With the largely amateur United States unlikely to finish in the top two in pool A and so qualify for the quarterfinals, Emerick is now facing the prospect of his World Cup being over after just one game.
However, Emerick - who plays his club rugby for Welsh regional side Newport Gwent Dragons - does have 48 hours to appeal.
During the closing stages of reigning champions England's unimpressive opening 28-10 pool A win against the United States in Lens on Sunday, Emerick tipped Barkley in the air, causing him to land on his neck although he did get up and continue to play.
A statement released on the RWC website said judicial officer (JO) professor Lorne Crerar of Scotland considered "the offence was intentional, that there was a deliberate tipping motion in the tackle with an element of force driving the opposing player in a downward motion.
"This led to the opposing player being stunned immediately after the tackle, that he was vulnerable and unable to protect his position."
It added the JO believed that the act was premeditated in the lifting and twisting of the opposing player and considered this to be a top end offence.
Although Crerar said there were no aggravating factors he added there were several mitigating factors including the player's good record, the good behaviour of the player and his representatives from USA Rugby at the hearing and the fact Emerick had shown remorse in relation to the incident.
For tipping, players can be suspended for 10 or more weeks. However, the JO decided that in this case the suspension would be for five weeks in light of the mitigating factors.
Emerick was involved in an unrelated incident earlier in the same match when, in sight of the goal area, he was tripped by England captain Phil Vickery.
The prop forward, whose case was also heard by Crerar on Tuesday, was banned for two matches.
- AFP
