FIJI Water Flying Fijians prop Mesake Doge has been cleared to play after an independent Disciplinary Committee heard his appeal against a sanction for an offence contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackling).
Doge appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday following a red card issued for an act of foul play during Fiji’s match against Canada in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup semi final on Monday, 15 September, 2025.
A Foul Play Review Committee met and originally proposed a sanction of four matches reduced to three on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention. Doge did not accept the sanction, and the matter was referred to a Disciplinary Committee for a full hearing.
The Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Mike Heron KC (New Zealand), joined by former players Sarah Smith (Scotland) and Jamie Corsi (Wales) and met to consider the red card.
The disciplinary committee considered all of the evidence, including additional video footage, evidence from the player and Coach/Manager, and written and oral submissions on the player's behalf, and decided that the red card should not be upheld.
The Committee considered the action in line with the Head Contact Process and agreed with the findings of the FPRC that it was an act of foul play, there was head contact, and the degree of danger was initially high, however in looking at mitigation, the committee assessed that the actions of the ball carrier were a significant contributor to the situation and amounted to mitigation under the Head Contact Process.
The Committee found the Canadian player's forearm struck Doge’s jaw, preventing his intended drop in height and instead causing him to rise up into the contact.
The Committee emphasised the unusual nature of the circumstances in this case.
The committee therefore did not uphold the red card and Doge is free to play with immediate effect.
The Flying Fijians play the Cherry Blossoms at 1.35pm Sunday at America First Field, Salt Lake City, Utah.
[Source: World Rugby]
