Ma’ama Vaipulu Appeal Upheld

On 16 April 2022, Tongan international back-row, Ma’ama Vaipulu was sent off for a dangerous tackle whilst playing for his club, Union Bordeaux Bègles, in the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Following a hearing of this matter on 19 April 2022, at which Mr Vaipulu accepted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card, a Disciplinary Committee of the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) suspended him for six weeks.

Mr Vaipulu appealed this decision and, following a hearing before an EPCR Appeal Committee on 28 April 2022, his appeal was allowed, with the sanction reduced by one week.

Ben Cisneros and Nick Williams of Morgan Sports Law acted for Mr Vaipulu in the EPCR appeal proceedings.