E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vickery and Emerick cited

Trip to Court: Vickery catches Emerick with his outstretched leg

England captain Phil Vickery has been cited for tripping United States centre Paul Emerick during the opening World Cup Pool A match in Lens at the weekend.

Vickery now faces a disciplinary hearing that will affect England's preparations for their critical Pool A clash against South Africa in Paris on Friday, a game Vickery could now miss.

The Wasps prop has been reported by New Zealander Steven Heines, the citing commissioner for the game - won 28-10 by England.

Vickery lashed out at USA centre Paul Emerick during the first half in Lens, but the incident went unnoticed and unpunished by referee Jonathan Kaplan.

Vickery later claimed there was no malice intended, while Emerick also moved to play down the incident.

The England management have been informed of the citing and the disciplinary hearing that will now be convened is the last thing England need as they head into their biggest Test since winning the World Cup in 2003.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is a major doubt for the game as he battles to overcome an ankle ligament injury, while Vickery's fate now rests in the hands of tournament disciplinary chiefs.

Emerick is also in hot water after being cited for a dangerous tackle on England fly-half Olly Barkley.

Emerick was sin-binned by Kaplan, but Heines has decided the incident now warrants closer attention.

Like Vickery, Emerick can expect to face a hearing probably in the next 48 hours.

The England captain acknowledged his mistake after the game, but insisted he meant no harm.

"It was unfortunate - they had made a break, and I was back-tracking," he said.

"He then cut inside, and it was instinctive on my part. I tapped him, but there was no malice on my part."

Emerick showed good grace by accepting Vickery's version of events.

"I don't think there was any malice or intent there," he said. "I've just got a bruise, it is all right."

Barkley, in turn, returned the favour by vouching for the American's good conduct in the tackle incident.

"It was my fault for trying to bump into a guy bigger than me," he joked.

"The tackle looked a lot worse than it was. I think he picked me up, and I went down on my neck, but he didn't continue into the ground."