Four week ban for Manon André
France’s Manon André has received a four weeks ban which will see her miss the next two French Six Nations games against Wales and Scotland. She will, however, be back in time for what could be a crucial final game against England.
Published by John Birch, February 19th, 2015
2 minute read
The French lock was found guilty following an incident in the second half of the game at Ashbourne. According to the citation this was for “making contact with the eyes of an opponent” – an act that normally attracts an automatic ban of a minimum of 12-weeks.
However this was reduced to four weeks. According to the Six Nations Disciplinary Committee "it noted the need for deterrence but also the existence of compelling and exceptional off-field mitigating factors in applying a nine week reduction from the entry point, to reflect the fact that, without such a reduction, the sanction would be wholly disproportionate to the type and level of offending in this particular case."
The minimum 12 weeks was initially increased by a week as a “deterrent” before being reduced by nine weeks due to the reasons given.
Citations and player bans in the women’s six nations are rare. André’s ban is only the third in the past five years following on from Wales’ Rachel Taylor, who received a four-week ban in 2012, and France’s Claire Canal, who was banned for 13-weeks in 2010.
André is one of the most experienced members of the current French team. The Blagnac St Orens second row has been capped 44 times since her debut in 2009, and her absence will have an impact on a team whose major weapon is the strength of their pack