Arno Botha has been suspended for three weeks and will miss Munster's Champions Cup clash with Saracens on Saturday as well as the Reds' festive interpro games against Connacht and Leinster.
The back row will be available for the province's January 3rd meeting with Ulster, and for the final two pool games in Europe, against Racing 92 and Ospreys.
Botha was slapped with the ban at an independent disciplinary hearing in London after he was red-carded in the 81st minute of Munster's win over Sarries at Thomond Park last Saturday.
It was ruled that he struck the Saracens replacement, Nick Tompkins with his arm in contravention of Law 9.12 - Botha was in possession as he led with his forearm into Tompkins' neck.
Botha addressed the three-man committee by video conference and the three-man committee, which watched footage of the incident and also heard submissions from Munster's legal representative Pat Barriscale, Munster team manager Niall O’Donovan and EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee upheld referee Romain Poite's red card decision in finding that the act of foul play was reckless.
"As contact to the head or neck carries a minimum mandatory mid-range sanction, according to World Rugby’s regulations, six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point," read a EPCR statement.
"There were no aggravating factors, and taking into account the player’s guilty plea and timely expression of remorse, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent before imposing a three-week suspension.
Botha is free to play from Monday, December 30, and has the right to appeal.
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