An Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has met to consider the red card issued to Santiago Lopes (Portugal) during the November Internationals match played between Portugal and Uruguay on Saturday, 8 November, 2025.

The FPRC chaired by Nigel Hampton KC (New Zealand) joined by former players John Langford (Australia) and Leon Lloyd (England) met on Sunday, 9 November to consider the player's case.

Santiago Lopes has been suspended for four matches, reduced to three on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme, after the Foul Play Review Committee reviewed the red card received for a Law 9.13 offence (dangerous tackle) during Portugal's November Internationals match against Uruguay at Estadio Nacional Lisbon on 8 November, 2025. The sanction was accepted by the player.

In accordance with the remit of the expedited off-field sanction process trial, sanctions are proposed in line with Appendix 1 of Regulation 17. The FPRC meets without the attendance of the player or their representatives, or World Rugby, however, written submissions may be provided by the player to the FPRC for consideration 

The FPRC has the power to:

  • Issue a warning
  • Offer the player a proposed sanction based on Appendix 1 of Regulation 17
  • Refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee
  • Dismiss the red card and/or citing's only in the case of mistaken identity

In determining the sanction for Lopes, the FPRC noted the player accepted that foul play had occurred but not that the offence warranted a red card. On the basis of all the evidence before them, the committee upheld the red card and decided that the offending warranted the mandatory mid-range entry point of six matches. The committee decided not to award full mitigation due to a recent red card resulting in a final sanction of four matches. This will be reduced to three on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme.

Lopes will be suspended for the following matches:

  1. Portugal v Hong Kong China - November Internationals - 15 November 2025
  2. Portugal v Canada - November Internationals - 22 November 2025 
  3. RC Montemor v Cascais - Campeonato Nacional de Rugby Divisão de Honra - 30 November 2025
  4. Romanian Wolves v Lusitanos - Rugby Europe Super Cup - 6 December 2025*

*He will be free to play in this match after his successful completion of the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme

Read more about the expedited off-field sanction process here.

Read the full guide to the off-field sanction process here.