Niccolo Cannone suspended for four weeks for head-butting in match

Italy lock Niccolo Cannone has received a four-week suspension for head-butting New Zealand scrumhalf Cam Roigard during the Nations Championship rugby test on Saturday. Cannone was initially shown a yellow card in the 52nd minute, which was later upgraded to a red card. Italy played with 14 players for the final 20 minutes of the match, which ended in a 47-17 loss for Italy. A foul play review committee determined Cannone's actions amounted to physical abuse, initially setting a base suspension of six weeks before reducing it by two weeks due to mitigating factors. Cannone will miss Italy's upcoming Nations Championship match against Australia in Perth on Saturday.

• 2:53 AMYahoo Sports — Italy's Cannone suspended for 4 weeks for head-butting in rugby's Nations Championship