Cheetahs centre Lee hit with 13-week ban for blowing his nose on opponent

Cheetahs centre Nico Lee has been given a 13-week ban for clearing the contents of his nose onto the face of an opposing player during the Pro14 defeat to Connacht last Saturday.

Lee will not play again this season after he was sanctioned for an incident involving Colby Fainga’a at The Sportsground.

The 24-year-old, who will not be available to return until July 21, admitted committing an act that was against the spirit of good sportsmanship and issued an apology for his actions.

A disciplinary panel stated: “The player’s actions are an act of foul play. They have no place in the game. This is not a case of over-exuberance, or an act which is within the rules of the game going awry.

“It follows that by its nature this act is one that is deserving of punishment. It is contrary to the spirit of sport.”

The panel concluded: “It is difficult to imagine how an act of foul play of this sort could be worse, save for repeated acts or where actual injury is caused.”

Lee said in a video posted on the Cheetahs’ Twitter account: “I would like to start by apologising to Cheetahs Rugby, my team-mates, supporters, the Pro14, and everyone that believed in me, for my actions.

“That’s not the type of person or player I am and it was an act of stupidity. I’d just like to say sorry and I apologise for everything.”

Nico Lee apologize@PRO14Officialhttps://t.co/E4BXi69qZU pic.twitter.com/7bOkiRpsRJ

— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) February 20, 2019

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