Ala’alatoa was sent off by the referee, Jaco Peyper (South Africa), in the 78th minute of the match at the Aviva Stadium for charging into a ruck in a dangerous manner and for making contact with the head area of the Stade Rochelais replacement prop, Georges-Henri Colombe, in contravention of Law 9.20(a).

Law 9.20(a) A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.20(a) carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Roddy Dunlop KC (Scotland), Chair, Leon Lloyd (England) and Frank Hadden (Scotland) studied video imagery of the incident, and heard evidence from Ala’alatoa who accepted the red card decision.

The committee also heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Derek Hegarty, from Leinster Rugby’s Head of Rugby Operations, Guy Easterby, as well as from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that Ala’alatoa had charged into the ruck in contravention of Law 9.20(a) and had also made contact with the head of the Stade Rochelais replacement prop, Georges-Henri Colombe, in a dangerous manner.

It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. As the player has a clear disciplinary record and due to his acceptance of the red card, it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

Ala’alatoa is suspended for Samoa’s fixtures against Japan on 22 July, against Fiji on 29 July and against Tonga on 5 August. He is free to play on Monday 7 August, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday 31 July.

Both Ala’alatoa and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

The Leinster Rugby replacement prop, Michael Ala’alatoa, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from the Heineken Champions Cup final on Saturday 20 May 2023.