Vodafone Flying Fijians prop Manasa Saulo has been suspended from all levels of rugby for 10 weeks after being found guilty of stamping at the Rugby World Cup.

Saulo was cited for stamping the head of Luke Charteris of Wales in the 23-13 loss.

With respect to the sanction, the offence was deemed to be the top end which has an entry point of at least nine weeks.

The Judicial Officer determined that this case warranted an entry point of 16 weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including his early admission, disciplinary record, good character and remorse and the absence of any off-field aggravating factors, the player was suspended for a period of 10 weeks.

In the context of the Rugby World Cup a week equates to one match.
The suspension takes effect immediately, therefore Saulo is suspended for Fiji’s last RWC match against Uruguay on Wednesday.

And thereafter the suspension will run up to and include 16 January, 2016.

He is free to resume playing on 17 January, 2016. The player’s suspension is subject to confirmation of his club’s domestic and European playing schedule for the coming season.

The player has 48 hours in which to appeal from the time he receives the full decision.

Saulo has become the third Fijian player to cop a suspension at the World Cup, with Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Nemani Nadolo, both copping one-match bans for foul play in the past three weeks.

The Flying Fijians will take on Uruguay in its final appearance in the 2015 World Cup at 7am on Wednesday.

You can watch the match live on FBC TV and a live commentary will air on Bula FM and Radio Fiji One.