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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Matthew Southcombe

Scarlets star learns whether he can play against Cardiff this weekend after red card controversy

Scarlets No.8 Sione Kalamafoni is free to play this weekend after escaping a ban for a red card he received in last weekend's match against Cardiff.

The powerful back-rower was involved in a huge collision with Cardiff replacement Gwilym Bradley, who was running back a kick and thundered into Kalamafoni with a 15 metre run up.

It was a tackle that ended with Bradley leaving the field and not returning, and Kalamafoni getting a red card.

READ MORE: Cardiff admit thinking playing Scarlets 'could be a walk in the park'

The decision from referee Tual Trainini took some time as camera angles were not quite right it the collision was complicated by the fact that Scarlets lock Jac Price was also involved.

After the match, Cardiff boss Dai Young said: "Obviously we know that there is never any intent in these things. Things happen so quickly but by the letter of the law it's probably a red card. Nobody wants to see people getting red cards, he's not a dirty player and hopefully he doesn't get a long ban.

"But you see them every game now, those type of tackles unfortunately do get a red card."

The 33-year-old faced disciplinary hearing, with Advocate Sibonile Khoza (South Africa), Achille Reali (Italy) and Rose-Alice Murphy (Ireland) deciding his fate.

A press release read: "They [the panel] agreed with the on field decision of the Referee to issue a Red Card, but found that there was indirect contact to the head, actions by a second tackler and a drop in height by the ball carrier to warrant mitigation."

As such, they deemed the red card alone sufficient and Kalamafoni is now free to face Cardiff again in the reverse fixture at the Arms Park this Saturday.

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