Two-match ban and £20,000 fine for Marler

Rugby: England prop counts cost of slur against Samson Lee

England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has been banned for two games after his “Gypsy boy” slur against Wales forward Samson Lee during last month’s RBS 6 Nations Championship game at Twickenham.

A three-man independent judicial committee suspended Marler following a hearing in London, World Rugby announced.

He was also fined £20,000 – to be paid to a suitable equality charity – after a misconduct charge against him was upheld.

The 25-year-old, who has 42 caps, had avoided sanction from Six Nations chiefs and the Rugby Football Union following the March 12 incident, but World Rugby launched independent action.

World Rugby said the misconduct charge was “admitted in its entirety” by Marler.

Marler apologised to Wales prop Lee at half-time in the match.

He also took to Twitter on Monday night, apologising to “anyone who was offended”and saying that he would accept the World Rugby ruling.

Now banned until April 18, Marler will miss Quins’ European Challenge Cup quarter-final against London Irish on Saturday.

HewillalsomissanAvivaPremiership appointment with league leaders Saracens at Wembley seven days later.

World Rugby’s decision to launch independent action left the Six Nations disciplinary process under almost as much scrutiny during the past 24 days as Marler himself.

The RFU said the committee’s decision would not be appealed.

Picture: PA. England prop Joe Marler learned of his £20,000 fine and two-match ban after a lengthy hearing yesterday.