Fergus McFadden will miss Leinster's historic attempt to win back-to-back doubles after being slapped with a six-week ban for a headbutt on Ulster forward Sean Reidy.
The incident occurred during Leinster's Guinness PRO14 defeat to the northern province last Saturday when McFadden conceded a penalty in a clash with his fellow Ireland international.
The Blues winger faced a disciplinary hearing on Thursday via a video conference after being reported by the Citing Commissioner in a charge for alleged infringement of Law 9.12 – A player must not physically abuse anyone.
The PRO14 revealed in a statement after the hearing that the disciplinary panel "concluded that the player had committed an act of foul play involving contact to the head."
Fergus McFadden ban reduced to six weeks from ten
The disciplinary committee deemed that the offence merited a red card under Law 9.12 (Striking with head) and that the contact to the head was intentional with a mid-range entry point of 10 weeks.
The committee took into account the player’s previous disciplinary record and his good conduct/acceptance of culpability, his remorse and his engagement with the instant disciplinary process (including at the hearing) and applied mitigation which reduced the ban to six weeks.
To ensure the six-week ban accounts for meaningful matches played by Leinster Rugby and Irish Rugby, the player will be free to play from midnight on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
The Player was reminded of his right to appeal.
The ban means that McFadden will miss out on the final stretch of what could be a historical season for the Blues who are attempting to repeat last year's incredible double success.
They face English Premiership side Saracens first in the Heineken Champions Cup final which takes place at St James' Park in Newcastle on Saturday, May 11.
Leo Cullen's men will then be in semi-final action in the Guinness PRO14 on May 18.
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