Brive tighthead prop, Alexandre Barozzi has been suspended for two weeks for punching Biarritz flank Talalelei Gray in the Amlin Challenge Cup semifinal on Saturday at the Parc des Sports Aguilera.

Barozzi was shown a red card in the 80th minute of the match by referee, George Clancy (Ireland), for contravening Law 10.4(a).

In the same incident, Barozzi was also alleged to have to have struck Gray with his head in contravention of Law 10.4(a). The citing complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Eddie Walsh (Ireland).

The appointed independent Judicial Officer, Judge Jeff Blackett (England), heard submissions regarding both incidents by video conference from Barozzi, from the Brive assistant coach, Nicolas Godignon, and from ERC's Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor.

Employing the IRB recommended sanctions for Law 10.4(a), Judge Blackett decided that the offences were at the low end entry points of two weeks for striking with the fist and of four weeks for striking with the head.

Having taken into account the player's guilty pleas to both offences, he reduced the period for striking with the fist by one week, and reduced the period for striking with the head by two weeks.

Blackett imposed suspensions of one week and two weeks with both to run concurrently. Barozzi is therefore free to play on Thursday, May 17. Both the player and ERC have the right to appeal the decisions.