PAT Sanderson has escaped a lengthy ban after the citing brought against him for eye-gouging was dismissed.

The panel at today's Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing handed out warnings to Warriors skipper Sanderson and London Wasps flanker James Haskell, who was accused of the same offence, but decided not to impose bans.

The citing was brought against the duo following an incident in Warriors 24-24 draw with Wasps at Sixways on September 22 under law 10.4 (k), which deals with acts contrary to good sportsmanship.

However, the panel warned the players to take care in future and His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, the RFU disciplinary officer, underlined how seriously the authorities regard foul play involving intentional contact with the face.

He said: "Contact with the eyes is not only insidious, but it is also potentially very dangerous and can cause serious and lasting damage to the victim.

"There is a risk that intentional contact with someone's face could cause injury to the eyes and the practice of rubbing an opponent's face to rough him up' is discouraged - it offends against Law 10.4(k) but in this case neither incident was sufficiently serious to merit a red card "However, had either player made contact with the other's eyes and thereby caused injury, he would have faced a significant period of suspension even if the contact had been reckless rather than intentional."

The panel hearing the case at the offices of the Judge Advocate General in Chancery Lane consisted of HHJ Jeff Blackett (chairman), Jeremy Summers and Julian Morris.