ENGLAND flanker Jonny Hill has been handed a 10-week ban after admitting attacking a fan.
But he will be free to play next month after escaping a potential 20-week suspension.
Sale back rower Hill, 30, was accused of putting the unnamed 28-year-old supporter in a headlock and causing a cut face in the incident after last season’s Premiership semi-final defeat at Bath in June.
Hill, a Lions tourist in 2021 who earned the last of his 13 caps in the World Cup warm-up win over Wales last year, was injured and in the stands at the time of the clash.
But he was accused of grabbing the fan by the throat as he left his seat following the 31-23 loss and leaving a sunglasses-inflicted cut above his victim’s eye.
Hill was interviewed by Bath police over the incident in September and then charged with “physically abusing” the fan, which he accepted ahead of Monday’s hearing.
Panel chair Philip Evans KC ruled that while the “appropriate starting point was a 20-week suspension” the circumstances of the case were “exceptional”.
He added: “As a consequence, and because of the substantial mitigation available to Jonny Hill, that starting point was reduced to 10 weeks, four of which will be suspended until the conclusion of the 25/26 season.
“In addition he is required to give a presentation to young players at the club which is to be recorded and provided to the RFU.”
Hill has not played for Sale since a knee injury sustained in January but is now closing in on a return to fitness, with the tribunal clearing him to return to action on December 7.
Sale said: “Both the club and player accept the ruling made by the RFU disciplinary panel and we look forward to getting Jonny back on the pitch in a Sharks shirt as soon as possible.”
