Ospreys charged with misconduct -Tigers suffer

The Ospreys have been charged with misconduct after they played for a short time in their Heineken Cup clash against Leicester Tigers with 16 players on the field.

Leicester Tigers had issued an official complaint as they said that – following detailed analysis of the game – the 16th player had a significant outcome on the match.

Tournament rules stipulate that the referee should have awarded a penalty to the Tigers on the spot but he did not.

ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O’Connor completed his investigation into the allegation that the Ospreys had 16 players on the pitch during the second half of the Heineken Cup Pool 3 Round 6 match and reviewed statements from the Ospreys, Leicester Tigers and the Match Officials.

O’ Connor also reviewed video footage of the incident.

The Disciplinary Officer then laid made Misconduct complaints against Ospreys full back Lee Byrne (No 15) and the Ospreys club.

The independent Disciplinary Committee appointed to hear the case in Dublin on Friday, 29 January, 2010, will be chaired by Pat Barriscale (Ireland), and also include Jean-Noel Couraud (France) and Mark McParland (Ireland).