Worcester director of rugby, John Brain, last night called for a change in the way disciplinary matters are handled after Drew Hickey was cleared of dangerous charging by a Rugby Football Union panel.
The No 8 appeared before the RFU committee after being cited for an incident in which Gloucester captain Adam Balding sustained a fractured cheekbone in the Guinness Premiership match at Sixways ten days ago.
Hickey had faced being banned for up to 12 weeks, but was absolved after Brain and the club's solicitor provided the panel with an alternative angle of the sixth-minute collision.
The Australian had been cited by an RFU officer after viewing tape of the televised match but Worcester were able to produce a clearer view, having had their own camera behind the goal line.
The angle showed that Hickey had wrapped his arms round Balding, thereby making it a legal tackle and within the laws of the game.
Although Brain was relieved, he was also frustrated that he had been asked to waste time and money when, in his opinion, the charge should never have been brought.
"We have spent time and money hiring a solicitor and travelling down to central London for a matter that should never have gone that far," he said.
"The way these things are reviewed needs to be looked at. In a criminal prosecution, all the evidence is gathered before a decision is made on whether to proceed or not. I don't see why that can't be done in these situations."
Hickey is free to play in the Saracens match this weekend, although he will not be facing Nicky Little after the fly-half was banned for 11 weeks.
The 58-times capped Fijian was found guilty of " dangerous charging" against Ross Laidlaw in the Guinness A match won 34-33 by the Exiles. Little could be out until November 22,but the player and the club have 14 days to appeal.
