ANDREW Kitchener has been given a three-match ban over his red card against Bristol on Friday after receiving the maximum mitigation from a disciplinary panel.

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The Warriors lock traded punches with Siale Piutau 40 seconds from the end of Friday's  36-13 home league defeat to Bristol.

Both players accepted the charges in front of the independent disciplinary panel comprising Matthew Weaver, Mitch Read and Chris Skaife. 

Kitchener's return-to-play date will be confirmed once the fixture dates for round 21 of the Gallagher Premiership are released.

Weaver, who chaired the panel, said: "Both players accepted the charge of striking an opponent. On consideration of all of the facts, with the benefit of hearing directly from both players and reviewing the video footage, the panel determined that the mandatory mid-range entry point of six weeks should apply.
 
"There were no aggravating factors applied to either sanction. Both players had accepted the charges and apologised for their actions. Mr Kitchener has a clean disciplinary record and, whilst warned about his conduct immediately after receiving the red card, was allowed full mitigation of 50 per cent. He will miss the next three games for Worcester Warriors.
 
"Mr Piutau has one matter on his record from June 2013 which was for a similar offence. On balance, however, given the time between the two incidents, the panel decided that this should not prevent him from receiving maximum mitigation and he was also suspended for three matches."