Another suspension for Italian rugby. Following the one handed to head coach Quesada, the Nations Championship's independent disciplinary committee has handed Marco Riccioni a two-match ban for the brawl that broke out after the match against Australia on 18 July. The Italian prop will have to serve his suspension during the matches on 14 and 27 August with his new club, Perpignan (Top 14). During the match against the Australians (which Italy lost 57-10), Riccioni was not even on the pitch; wearing his tracksuit and sitting on the bench, he was nonetheless involved in the altercation that started on the field and continued right up to the touchline during the second half. The sanction was handed down for "conduct contrary to the spirit of the game": initially the committee had considered a four-week ban, but Riccioni admitted his responsibility and taking into account "his disciplinary record, his conduct and his remorse", the penalty was halved.
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