Springbok prop Brian Mujati will have to wait at least 10 days before he will know the length of his ban, if any, after he pleaded guilty to an act contrary to good sportsmanship at a disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

Mujati faced a disciplinary hearing, before an independent judicial officer, Rod McKenzie (Scotland), to consider the citing complaint against the Northampton Saints replacement prop.

The citing was lodged by Murray Whyte (Ireland), for an alleged push in the back of referee Nigel Owens (Wales) in contravention of Law 10.4 (l) during the Heineken Cup Round Two match against Perpignan at Stade Aime Giral last Friday, October 16.

After considering the player's guilty plea and evidence, McKenzie found that Mujati was guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of Law 10.4 (l).

McKenzie has adjourned the hearing to allow additional evidence to be heard with regard to the determination of the appropriate sanction, if any.

The hearing will reconvene as soon as is practicable.

McKenzie imposed an interim suspension on the player until Monday, 2 November, 2009.

* Meanwhile Saints' other South African, lock Juandre Kruger, was banned for three weeks for stamping on Thursday.

Kruger appeared at a disciplinary fearing in Dublin as a result of a citing arising from the same Heineken Cup match against Perpignan.

The citing was also lodged by Whyte, for stamping on Perpignan scrumhalf Nicolas Durand in contravention of Law 10.4 (b).

After considering the evidence, the independent judicial officer, Rod McKenzie (Scotland), determined that Kruger was guilty of stamping in contravention of Law 10.4 (b) in that he had stamped on Nicolas Durand.

The judicial officer found that it was in the mid-range in the level of seriousness for an offence of stamping.

Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors McKenzie suspended the player for a period of three weeks - running up to and including Sunday, November 8.

Under IRB Regulation 17 and the ERC Heineken Cup Disciplinary Rules, the recommended sanction entry point for a mid-range offence of stamping is five weeks.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

365

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