2015 Rugby World Cup: Argentina's Mariano Galarza banned for nine weeks

Mariano Galarza was found guilty of 'acts contrary to good sportsmanship' for "making contact with the eye or the eye area"

The Argentinian national rugby player Mariano Galarza has been suspended for 9 weeks from playing rugby for his country and the club following an incident during Argentina’s group match loss to New Zealand’s All Blacks. Galarza was found guilty of 'acts contrary to good sportsmanship' under Law 10.4(m) for "making contact with the eye or the eye area".

The incident happened during the 25th-minute lineout but was not spotted during the game by the match officials. However, Galarza was cited by Independent Citing Commissioner Murray Whyte and was reported the officials after the match was concluded.

Earlier, Galarza was suspended for 13 weeks by the match officials but was later reduced to 9 weeks following Galarza’s ‘excellent disciplinary record’ over the years.

The Gloucester player has 48 hrs to respond to his suspension, after which the ban will be confirmed.

If his suspension stays, not only Galarza will miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup but also the start of the Premiership season with Gloucester and will only be allowed to play after 25th November 2015, when his suspension period of 9 weeks gets over.

He is the second player suspended at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, after Fiji back row Dominiko Waqaniburotu was given a one-week ban for a tip tackle on England wing Jonny May. The 28-year old player has represented his national team on 25 occasions after having made his debut in 2010.

Here is the video of the incident that led to the Argentine international’s 9-week suspension (via infobae):