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Somoza gets four-week ban

Somoza's World Cup is over with his ban

Juan Severino Somoza, the Portugal blindside flanker, has been slapped with a four-week ban for head butting Scotland second row Nathan Hines.

Somoza pleaded guilty to the act of foul play in a disciplinary hearing, and the Judicial Officer, Christopher Quinlan, upheld the citing.

He was found guilty of striking Hines intentionally whilst Hines was vulnerable, namely that he was not looking at Somoza when he butted him. In light of the circumstances Mr Quinlan decided the offence merited a mid-range suspension.

Having regard to the player's admission, his clean and good disciplinary record, and other relevant mitigating factors Mr Quinlan reduced what would otherwise have been an eight-week suspension to one of four weeks.

The player has 48 hours in which to appeal the decision.