Munster hooker Diarmuid Barron had alleged that Lions player Sibabalwe Mahashe had spat directly into his mouth during a ruck, leading to a halt in proceedings while the officials awaited the TMO verdict.
No evidence was found at the time, and as a result, the flanker remained on the field.
After consulting the footage post-match, it was confirmed that there was no “clear and obvious unsportsmanlike conduct” displayed by the accused, and as a result, no citing would occur.
The URC statement read: “The allegation of spitting that occurred in the Munster versus Fidelity SecureDrive Lions on Saturday, May 16 was reviewed the Citing Commissioner, Eugene Ryan (IRFU). Having examined all available camera angles, the video footage was inconclusive and there was no clear and obvious unsportsmanlike conduct by Lions No.6.
“The audio statement by No 16 of Munster is clear and he states that No 6 of Lions spat into his mouth but the audio statement from No.6 Lions contradicts this and he states that he had trouble with his gum shield after the upright contact before the ruck.
“He categorically denied the accusation of spitting. As such, no citing is feasible in this case.”
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan stood by his man following the incident, saying: “He’s been around a long time and we’re not a team that plays silly buggers, so you’d imagine he felt, or he saw what he saw.
“We only have three or four angles available to us. I’m sure others might have a look at it, but that’s not our job to do now.
“Other people will have a look and if there’s something there to see, then they’ll deal with it, and if there isn’t, then we’ll move forward. But in terms of Diarmuid’s integrity, that’s not in question.”
