Italy’s Cannone suspended for 4 weeks for head-butting in Nations Championship 

Italy’s Niccolo Cannone runs at the defence during the Nations Championship rugby international between the All Blacks and Italy in Wellington, New Zealand, July 11 [AP Photo]

Italy lock Niccolo Cannone has been suspended for four weeks after being sent off for head-butting in the Nations Championship rugby test against New Zealand on Saturday.

Cannone was shown a yellow card in 52nd minute for head-butting New Zealand scrumhalf Cam Roigard at a ruck. That was upgraded later to a red card, leaving Italy with 14 players for 20 minutes of a 47-17 loss.

A tournament foul play review committee yesterday found Cannone guilty of physical abuse under law 9.12.

“The FPRC determined that the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of six weeks/matches,” the committee said in a statement. “In light of Cannone’s acceptance that he committed an act of foul play worthy of ordering off, as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record, conduct, and remorse, the FPRC applied a 2-week reduction to the sanction.”

The suspension means Cannone will miss Italy’s Nations Championship match against Australia at Perth on Saturday. MDT/AP