BRIVE lock Johan Snyman has been banned for five weeks – and should have been red-carded – after poleaxing Worcester Warriors fly-half Tom Heathcote.

Snyman had been cited for a dangerous tackle which knocked Heathcote unconscious in last Saturday’s European Challenge Cup match at Sixways.

Irish referee Gary Conway took no action against Snyman – and did not even award Warriors a penalty after the horror tackle.

However, an independent disciplinary committee ruled Snyman had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.

Snyman admitted foul play but did not accept it was a red card offence.

The committee upheld the citing complaint, saying the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions and selected six weeks as the appropriate entry point.

The committee added one week to the sanction as a deterrent in line with World Rugby's memoranda on dangerous tackles, and then reduced it by two weeks due to the player's expression of remorse and good character, before imposing a suspension of five weeks.

Snyman is free to play on Monday, December 5.

Mike Hamlin (England), Roddy Dunlop QC (Scotland) and Andrea Caranci (Italy) heard evidence and submissions from Snyman and the European Professional Club Rugby disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.