Mapimpi BANNED from rugby

Makazole Mapimpi BANNED from rugby

Sharks and Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi has been handed a heavy suspension as punishment for foul play.

makazole mapimpi, eye-gouge, cardiff rugby, sharks

Makazole Mapimpi was accused of attempting to eye-gouge a Cardiff Rugby player. Images via SuperSport

Makazole Mapimpi will be unavailable for the Sharks’ next three games after being handed a hefty sanction for dangerous play.

Mapimpi has been handed a three-game suspension following what was deemed physically and/or verbally abuse of hooker Efan Daniel in the Sharks 42-22 win over Cardiff on 25 January.

During an off-the-ball altercation between the two players, both appeared to make contact with each other’s face at some point, but a lot of social media reaction seemed to suggest Mapimpi was arguably most at fault for a possible eye gouge.

Mapimpi was later cited and since appeared before a judicial committee, which found the Springbok guilty of the allegations levelled against him.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT CONFIRMING BOK’S SUSPENSION

A URC press release stated that the entry point was Mapimpi’s offence was four weeks, but that his sanction was reduced to three weeks due to the player’s cooperation throughout the disciplinary process.

“The Disciplinary process related to Makazole Mapimpi citing in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 10 game against Cardiff Rugby on Saturday, January 25 has resulted in a three game suspension.

“The Citing Commissioner in charge reported Hollywoodbets Sharks player No 11 (Makazole Mapimpi), for an act of foul play in the 52nd minute under Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

“In the Mapimpi’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (David Martin, Ireland), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Martin found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with a lower end entry point warranting four weeks. The Mapimpi received two weeks (50%) mitigation due to his apology and full engaged participation in the disciplinary process. The Mapimpi was previously cited for a similar offence in EPCR in the 2022/2023 season which resulted in suspension. Therefore considered an aggravating factor, warranting a further one week sanction. This results in a three game suspension.”