Habana Cleared of Wrong Doing

At his disciplinary hearing today in London (Heathrow), Bryan Habana, the South Africa wing, was cleared of committing an act of foul play by the IRB’s Judicial Officer for the match, Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland).

The hearing arose from the citing against the player for an alleged kick aimed at Vincent Clerc (France No 14) in the match between France and South Africa in Toulouse on Friday, 13 November, 2009.

In arriving at his decision, Professor Crerar considered a series of video clips as well as the player’s explanation and was unable to determine, upon the balance of probabilities, that the player had deliberately kicked his opponent, namely No 14 of France.

A detailed examination of the video clips shows the upward body movement of France No 15 while gripping the lower leg of Bryan Habana, pulling Habana’s leg towards him and the prostrate player, No 14 of France.

Bryan Habana is free to resume playing immediately.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.