Clermont prop Etienne Falgoux has been handed a seven-week ban after he was cited for an incident in his side's win over Ulster.
Match commissioner Jeff Mark handed down the punishment to the player after he was adjudged to have made contact with the eye area of Ulster's Luke Marshall in the first half of their Champions Cup tie last weekend.
Ulster were beaten in the tie at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, but the 23-year-old prop was cited afterwards for a clash with Marshall that left the Ulster player on the ground clutching his face.
La video de l'action pour laquelle Falgoux est cité ! #GROSSEBLAGUE https://t.co/c4ah1NC6Bz
— Team Jaune&Bleu (@TeamYellowArmy) December 20, 2016
European Professional Club Rugby issued a statement outlining the reasons behind the ban, saying: "In upholding the citing complaint, the Committee found that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected 12 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
"Taking into account Falgoux's clean disciplinary record, his expression of remorse, and his youth and inexperience, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by five weeks before imposing a seven-week suspension."
Falgoux will be able to return to action for his club on February 20th.
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