Furlong cleared of groin grab allegation by disciplinary panel

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 08:38 · Archive

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been cleared of allegedly grabbing Munster's Gavin Coombes in the groin during a United Rugby Championship match.

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been cleared by a disciplinary committee of allegedly grabbing Munster's Gavin Coombes in the groin during Leinster's 24-18 United Rugby Championship win at Aviva Stadium. Coombes raised the allegation with match referee Andrew Brace during the first half, but television match official Colin Stanley could not find conclusive video evidence of the incident at a ruck.

Furlong was subsequently cited under Law 9.27, which states that "a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals". The disciplinary panel, comprised of Simon Thomas, Attie Heyns and Pamela Woodman, met on Thursday to consider the case.

The panel unanimously concluded that the citing complaint should be dismissed on the basis that Furlong did not commit an act of foul play. The committee found that while Coombes had given an honest account of his recollection of the incident, the evidence did not support the allegation.

Furlong, a 33-year-old three-time British and Irish Lions tourist, is now available for selection for Ireland's Nations Championship home matches against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa, and the finals weekend fixture at Twickenham.

How it is being reported

• Tadhg Furlong cleared of grabbing opponent’s groin by disciplinary panelIt was alleged that Furlong had been involved in an incident with Munster’s Gavin CoombesIndependent Sport · 30 Oct, 08:18
• Ireland's Furlong cleared of groin grab by disciplinary committeeIreland's Tadhg Furlong is cleared by a disciplinary committee of grabbing Gavin Coombes in the groin during Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Munster.BBC Sport · 29 Oct, 22:19

In this story: Tadhg Furlong · Gavin Coombes · Leinster · Munster · Ireland · Aviva Stadium

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