Brive duo Arnaud Mela and Guillaume Ribes were both banned by a European Rugby Cup disciplinary panel on Thursday for foul play during last Saturday's 36-3 European Cup home loss to London Irish.

Mela was banned for seven weeks for punching and Ribes, who was sent-off for kicking, received a four-week suspension.

Lock forward Mela was cited for an alleged punch on the English Premiership side's replacement hooker Danie Coetzee while replacement hooker Ribes was red-carded by referee George Clancy.

Now both men will miss Saturday's return Pool Six return fixture between the clubs.

ERC judicial officer Robert Williams (Wales) found Mela guilty of foul play and, after taking into account two previous offences, banned the second row for seven weeks for an offence in the "middle range of the level of seriousness" for offences of this type.

Mela, who can appeal, has now been suspended for a period up to and including January 31, 2010 and his ban extends across all tournaments.

As for Ribes, Williams determined his offence was in the "low end in the level of seriousness" and banned the forward for four weeks up to and including January 10.

Under rugby rules, the players' European bans apply to all competitions.

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