A three-week touchline ban, suspended for 12 months, has been handed to Munster team doctor Jamie Kearns for the infamous incident that sparked a brawl between Munster and Saracens players during their Champions Cup fixture earlier this month. Moreover, the medic has also been punished with a €2,000 fine.
European Rugby released a statement this afternoon which claimed Kearns verbally abused Jamie George during the province's 15-6 loss away to the reigning champions, which ultimately led to a 30-man brawl. The statement said:
An independent Disciplinary Committee composed of Chairman, Simon Thomas (Wales), Jean-Noël Couraud (France) and Rhian Williams (Wales), convened in London on 30 December 2019 under EPCR's Disciplinary Rules to hear a misconduct complaint against Munster Rugby Team Doctor, Dr Jamie Kearns arising from the Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 fixture between Saracens and Munster Rugby.
The independent panel found that, during the match at Allianz Park on Saturday 14 December, Dr Kearns verbally abused the Saracens player, Jamie George, and that in doing so, Dr Kearns breached the EPCR Disciplinary Rules.
The independent Disciplinary Committee took into account the immediate expression of remorse shown by Dr Kearns and determined that he serve a three-week touchline ban, suspended for a period of 12 months and pay a fine of €2,000 (due immediately). Both Dr Kearns and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Munster are currently in second spot in Pool 4 of the European competition, having accumulated 11 points across four games. Their final two games of the pool will be against Racing 92 and Ospreys in January.
