Toulon’s Yannick Youyoutte has been banned for five weeks for the tackle which put Manie Libbok in hospital last weekend.
The forward was sent off for connecting with the head of the fly-half during their 24-14 victory over the Stormers in the Investec Champions Cup.
Libbok was knocked unconscious as a result of the hit – described as ‘sickening’ by some of those watching – and was stretchered off the pitch, before the Springboks playmaker was then taken to hospital.
HIA protocols
Fortunately, the pivot was released soon after, but he is currently undergoing return-to-play protocols and will miss this weekend’s Champions Cup game against Harlequins.
Youyoutte went up before a disciplinary panel on Wednesday where the forward accepted that it warranted a red card.
The committee decided that it met the rare top-end threshold and therefore deserved a 10-week ban, but it was cut in half after the mitigation was applied.
That could also be reduced by an extra week should the 25-year-old participate in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.
“The independent Disciplinary Committee, Jennifer Donovan (Ireland, Chair), Christian Scotland-Williamson (England) and Valeriu Toma (Romania) heard the case via video conference on Wednesday 11 December 2024,” an EPCR statement read.
“The player was in attendance and was represented by Cedric Rouhaud (RCT Legal Director), Laurent Emmanuelli (RCT Sporting Director) and Sophie Magdziak (RCT Lawyer).
“Youyoutte accepted that he had committed an offence that warranted a red card and the Disciplinary Committee selected 10 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
“No aggravating factors were present, and on the basis of the mitigation submitted on the player’s behalf, a five-week discount was applied to the entry point of 10 weeks. The player was therefore suspended for five weeks.
“He will be free to play from Monday 13 January 2025. However, if he participates in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, he will be free to play from Monday 6 January.
“Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok posts update after being hospitalised with a concussion
The games the ban covers
Youyoutte will therefore miss Toulon’s next Champions Cup encounter against Glasgow Warriors and the following three Top 14 clashes against Pau, Bordeaux-Begles and Racing 92.
As for Libbok, he is another name which has been added to the Stormers’ lengthy injury list, which has a number of other Springboks on it.
The fly-half will certainly miss the game against Harlequins but he could well be available for their United Rugby Championship match against the Lions, depending on whether he comes through the HIA protocols.
Although the current stand-down period is 12 days for those who have suffered a concussion, Libbok may be out for longer if symptoms persist.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/toulon-player-who-hospitalised-manie-libbok-with-sickening-tackle-finds-out-disciplinary-fate
