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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Harry Latham-Coyle

Rugby World Cup 2019: France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina gets six week ban after Wales red card

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has been banned for six weeks.

The second row was sent off for elbowing Wales' Aaron Wainwright during the quarter-final clash.

Vahaamahina announced his international retirement the day after Les Bleus exited the World Cup.

The ban means the lock will not be able to play for club side Clermont Auvergne until December 21.

The suspension means Vahaamahina, 28, will miss Clermont's first four Champions Cup pool games.

The disciplinary panel decided the offence warranted a mid-range entry point.

France were leading the quarter-final by six points when Vahaamahina was sent off in the second half by referee Jaco Peyper, before Ross Moriarty's late try secured Wales victory.

Peyper has since been criticised for posing for a photograph with a group of Welsh fans apparently mocking the actions of the lock, who was born in French-owned Pacific Island territory New Caledonia.

The South African official was not considered for the World Cup semi-finals, which will be refereed by Jerome Garces of France (Wales vs South Africa) and Nigel Owens of Wales (New Zealand vs England).

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