Viktor Kolelishvili will have a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he pushed referee Wayne Barnes in his side's match against Ospreys on Friday night.
Barnes simply warned the player during the match, and didn't take any further action, telling him simply "If I’m standing in your way please just ask me to move", before shaking hands with the player.
Get out of my way! @ASMOfficiel's Vito Kolelishvili shoves ref Wayne Barnes and gets away with it! #ChampionsCup https://t.co/KEDCGS1YNc
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) January 15, 2016
The resulting penalty was converted by Dan Biggar, as Ospreys went on to win 21-13, but on Tuesday, European Professional Club Rugby decided to hit him with a harsh ban.
The offence was deemed worthy of a red card by judicial officer David Martin, who also decided to hand down a 24-week ban, given that he has a poor previous disciplinary record.
That was reduced to 14-weeks as a result of the fact that he apologised to Barnes and plead guilty. He is free to appeal the decision, but should he choose not to, then he won't be available for selection again until the end of April.
Via Independent.ie
