SALE Sharks wing Denny Solomona has been handed a four-week suspension for verbally abusing a Worcester Warriors player.

The England international contested the charge but was found guilty at a Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary hearing on Thursday night.

The ban relates to an incident in Sharks’ 58-25 victory over Warriors at the AJ Bell Stadium in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday, March 24.

Fly-half Jamie Shillcock approached referee Andrew Jackson and claimed he had heard a “homophobic slur” used “twice” by a Sale player on 55 minutes.

His complaint was picked up on the ref link and live match commentary.

It led to an investigation by the RFU who spoke to match officials and members of each team to find out what prompted Shillcock’s accusation.

Five days after the match Solomona was charged with "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union or the game".

Samantha Hillas, who was chair of the three-person independent panel at the hearing, said the remarks had “no place” on the rugby field.

But the panel acknowledged the comments were said “in the heat of the moment”.

Solomona, 24, is free to play again on Tuesday, May 8, meaning he will miss Sharks’ next four games.

“The panel found that the player used language that was verbally abusive on more than one occasion in quick succession.” Hillas said.

“The comments were offensive and have no place on the rugby field. However, the panel accepted that they were said in the heat of the moment rather than premeditated.

“For these reasons, the panel deemed it was a low end entry point which carries a six week suspension as a starting point. The player did not accept the charge, but all other mitigating features were present. The panel therefore reduced the sanction to four weeks.”

Leon Lloyd and Tony Wheat were also on the panel.