PARIS - La Rochelle centre Levani Botia has been handed a five-week ban on Wednesday by the disciplinary committee of the French National Rugby League for a dangerous tackle against Bordeaux-Begles.
Levani Botia runs with the ball during a match on March 24, 2012 in Hong Kong
The 26-year old Fijian received a red card after 77 minutes for a dangerous tackle on Bordeaux fly-half Pierre Bernard with three minutes to go in a game La Rochelle won 22-21 on March 28.
Botia, who already had received five yellow cards this season, is known for his chronic indiscipline.
He will miss La Rochelle's clashes against Stade Francais on Friday and Toulon two weeks later. Botia will be available again the weekend of May 8-9.