Champions Cup: Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park free to play against Connacht after citing complaint dismissed

Gibson-Park was cited following their 26-21 triumph over Connacht after making contact with the head of Kieran Marmion.

The Leinster half-back was yellow carded for the incident but it divided opinion with some believing that the Ireland international should have been sent off.

It was duly sent before an independent disciplinary hearing by citing commissioner Maurizio Vancini, but it was dismissed by the panel.

An EPCR statement said: “The independent disciplinary committee comprising Philippe Cavalieros (France), chair, Yannick Jauzion (France) and Mitchell Read (England), considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Gibson-Park, who did not accept that his act of foul play warranted a red card, from the player’s legal representative, Derek Hegarty, from the Leinster Rugby head of rugby operations, Guy Easterby, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

“While the committee determined that Gibson-Park had committed an act of foul play, it found that his action involved a low degree of force which did not warrant a red card. The citing complaint was therefore dismissed and Gibson-Park is free to play.”

Leinster have claimed Europe’s top-tier title on four occasions and hold a five-point buffer going into this weekend’s last-16 Champions Cup clash against the Galway-based outfit.

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