Leicester back Mike Brown suspended for two weeks

Leicester Tigers full-back Mike Brown has been suspended for two weeks for swearing at match officials following their previous round Gallagher Premiership game against Bristol Bears.

Brown received his second yellow card in the 71st minute of the encounter for making head contact in a tackle with Benhard Janse van Rensburg. His absence proved decisive as Leicester lost by a two point margin after having a lead of 19-0 in the first 70 minutes of the game. It also effectively ended Leicester's chance of making to the play-offs.

He was given a five-week ban, three suspended to the end of the season and will be unavailable for Leicester's game against Sale and friendly clash against Georgia Black Lion.

“The player accepted the charge of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game by disrespecting the authority of a match official," said Chair of the panel Philip Evans KC.

“The panel suspended the player for five weeks, three of which are suspended until the end of the 24/25 season and on condition that the player gives a presentation on the values of the game which is to be recorded and shared with the RFU for educational use and to help demonstrate why such behaviour will not be tolerated in rugby.

“The player also received two yellow cards in the match which he did not challenge.

“The applicable sanction where one card is for a technical offence and one is for foul play is sending off sufficient and in the absence of any aggravating features specific to this matter (the misconduct being brought as a separate charge), this was the sanction applied.”