Perpignan face IRB probe

Officials to investigate decision to play banned hooker Tincu

Last updated: 23rd December 2008

Perpignan face IRB probe

Tincu: Played while banned

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Perpignan could face sanctions from the International Rugby Board after playing banned hooker Marius Tincu in a league match.

The Romanian was handed an 18-week ban by an independent commission after he was cited for making conatact with the eye/eye area of Ospreys prop Paul James in the Heineken Cup - with the suspension upheld on appeal.

Perpignan were left angry at the ban - which runs to March 9, 2009 - and even threatened to pull out of the competition if it was not overturned.

And although Perpignan failed in their bid to see Tincu cleared, it seems they have ignored the ban by playing the 30-year-old for their Top 14 encounter with Castres on Saturday.

The IRB are now investigating the matter before deciding what action to take.

"The IRB has asked the Federation Francaise de Rugby (FFR) to submit a complete record of the events, decisions and procedures that resulted in the apparent breach of sanction and Tincu taking to the field against Castres Olympique," read an IRB statement.

"On receipt of the report the IRB will decide on the appropriate course of action."