LONDON -- Argentina lock Mariano Galarza has been banned for nine weeks after making 'contact with the eye or eye area' of Brodie Retallick during Argentina's defeat to New Zealand on Sunday.
Galarza was a first-half substitute for Guido Petti Pagadizaval and was cited by match citing commissioner Murray Whyte post-match for the incident.
Galarza, who plays for Gloucester, pleaded not guilty at the hearing but judicial officer Christopher Quinlan deemed it serious enough to adjudge him guilty of the act of foul play during the first half.
The original ban was 12 weeks but a further week was added "due to the need to deter such acts of foul play." Galarza's previously good disciplinary record saw it reduced to nine weeks meaning he will miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup and will not be free to play again until November 26. Galarza has 48 hours to appeal the decision.
He is now the second player to be hit with a suspension during this Rugby World Cup after Fiji's Dominiko Waqaniburotu was hit with a one-week ban for a tip tackle on England's Jonny May.
