Delon Armitage: Toulon full-back's ban cut to eight weeks

Toulon fans showed their support for Armitage after the original ban was imposed

Toulon full-back Delon Armitage has had his 12-week ban for using abusive language reduced to eight on appeal.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said the disciplinary committee were wrong to take his previous offences into account.

Arimitage, 31, had been found guilty of using abusive language towards Leicester fans after the European Champions Cup match on 7 December.

He will now be available to play again from 9 February.

After Toulon lost 25-21 to Leicester in the European Champions Cup, Armitage made a number of comments within earshot of spectators - including children - using foul and abusive language.

An EPCR statement said: "The appeal committee found that the independent disciplinary committee had made an error in how they determined the period of the appropriate sanction for the misconduct and moved to impose a suspension of eight weeks on the player."

Armitage, who won the last of his 26 England caps in 2011, originally had his ban increased from a starting point of eight weeks to 12 because it was his second post-match misconduct case in four years.

He pushed an anti-doping officer during a drugs test after playing for London Irish against Bath on in January 2011.

When it imposed the 12-week ban, the disciplinary committee report said Armitage was found to be "an habitual offender" with "an appalling disciplinary record".

Armitage began his career with London Irish in 2003 before joining the reigning European champions in 2012.