England fullback Freddie Steward has been cleared to play after his red card in Saturday’s Six Nations defeat by Ireland was downgraded by a disciplinary panel.
Steward faced a hearing late Tuesday after he was sent off by referee Jaco Peyper for a dangerous challenge to the head of Hugo Keenan that ended the Ireland fullback’s match in Dublin.
Red card for Freddie Steward pic.twitter.com/N6nVNx2qQN
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But while the panel agreed an act of foul play had taken place, they ruled there were sufficient mitigating circumstances – including the late change in the dynamics and positioning of the opposing player – for Steward to have been shown a yellow card, rather than a red.
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Ireland led 10-6 when Steward left the field shortly before half time and went on to win 29-16 as they clinched a Grand Slam.
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