Ospreys wing Richard Mustoe has been banned for 12 weeks for a stamping incident in last month's Heineken Cup game with Munster at the Gnoll. European Rugby Cup ruled that Mustoe was reckless with the boot after a clash that left Munster prop Marcus Horan streaming blood from the head.
Horan himself was cleared of a complaint brought by the Ospreys.
They alleged that he had directed racial abuse against their Samoan centre Elvis Seveali'i.
ERC ruled that the reported remark had not been made.
The decision means Horan will take his place among Ireland's replacements for Saturday's Autumn Test against South Africa
 Horan has been cleared of any wrong-doing |
Munster had been furious that the Ospreys had made the accusation, saying before the hearing: "We totally refute the allegation of racial abuse and believe Marcus has no case to answer, we are disappointed the Ospreys lodged their complaint only after we reported Mustoe over an incident with Horan."
On the Mustoe case, ERC said that they had taken into account the fact that the player had admitted the offence, his previous clean record, and that he was acting in retaliation for a less serious incident.
Mustoe has the right to appeal against the ban.
MMIX
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