Isiekwe cleared after Saracens red card at Leicester is rescinded
Nick Isiekwe is free to play for Saracens this weekend after his red card at Leicester was wiped out.
An independent disciplinary panel rescinded the 20-minute red card on Thursday, meaning the 28-year-old England forward faces no further action, BBC Sport reported. He is now available for selection when Saracens host Sale Sharks in their second Prem fixture on Sunday at 15:00 BST.
The sending-off came in the 55th minute of Saracens' 40-38 win at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Isiekwe was penalised for a high tackle, a tackle that makes contact above the line of the shoulders, on Leicester full-back Freddie Steward.
Under the 20-minute red card law used in the Premiership, the player stays off for good but his team can bring on a replacement after 20 minutes. Leicester led 31-28 at the time of the incident, Leicester Tigers confirmed.
Steward played a central part in the hearing. He gave a written statement and live evidence to say he did not suspect any foul play by Isiekwe. The panel also judged the force involved as low to mid, and not high.
That verdict spares Isiekwe a suspension and gives Saracens a boost before Sale visit north London.
For fans, this means the opening-weekend drama ends without a ban. Saracens twice fell behind in Leicester before snatching a 40-38 victory to open the Brendan Venter era, Yahoo Sports reported. They held on despite playing the closing stages a man light.
What makes this stand out is Steward's role. It is rare for the tackled player to speak live for the accused, and his words clearly carried weight with the panel.
