Italy second-row Sara Tounesi has been suspended for 12 matches, having appeared before an independent judicial committee Monday after being cited for biting (Law 9.12) in Italy’s Rugby World Cup 2021 Pool B match with Japan on Oct. 23.

The citing was denied.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by the independent Judicial Panel Chair, Christopher Quinlan KC, who was joined by judicial officer Brenda Heather-Latu (Samoa) and former international player Ofisa Tonu’u (New Zealand).

The committee considered all the evidence, including from the victim player, player (Tounesi) and the video footage of the incident. 

The committee concluded that the player bit a Japanese player, which merited a red card and accordingly upheld the citing complaint. 

The committee decided the appropriate entry point was mid-range (18 matches), but having regard to her mitigation, reduced the sanction to 12 matches.

The player therefore is suspended for Italy’s quarterfinal match against France on Oct. 29, with the remaining matches to be determined once the playing schedules of Italy and the player are known.