A Rugby World Cup Appeal Committee met on 23 November 2003 at Level 23, The Chifley Tower, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney, Australia, to consider an appeal by France flanker Serge Betsen.
Betsen was suspended from all forms of rugby for six weeks on 20 November 2003 by Judicial Officer Mr Brian McLoughlin, who found him guilty of kicking England scrum half Matt Dawson in the Rugby World Cup semi final between England and France.
Betsen appealed against the Judicial Officer's conclusions on both liability for the offence and the penalty imposed.
Following a hearing lasting two and a half hours, the Appeal Committee - which consisted of Chairman Graeme Mew (Canada), Guillermo Tragant (Argentina) and Michael Goodwin (Australia) - concluded that no error had been made by the Judicial Officer with respect to his conclusions on either liability of penalty.
The appeal was therefore denied and the suspension of six weeks stands.