EUROPEAN rugby officials are gathering evidence to support Gloucester's gouging claims against Mont de Marsan players.
And The Citizen understands the ERC could be in a position to confirm charges against the French Top 14 club as early as tomorrow.
No citing needs to be brought against Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell, his red card warranting a disciplinary hearing in itself.
The 34-year-old loose forward could appear before an ERC panel this week, with Thursday a possibility for the hearing.
Hazell reacted angrily to what Gloucester described as three clear and deliberate attempts to make illegal contact with his eye, in Thursday night's Amlin Challenge Cup victory.
The Cherry and Whites edged past Mont de Marsan 11-6 at Stade Guy Boniface, despite Hazell's 55th-minute red card and a yellow card for Matt Cox.
Hazell unleashed a flurry of punches on Mont de Marsan prop Sebastien Ormaechea, ending with a knee drop that might worry the disciplinary panel most of all.
Mont de Marsan's replacement front-rower made no attempt to defend himself even though he clearly saw what was coming from Hazell.
After the incident he received lengthy on-field treatment, looking at best groggy.
Gloucester loose forward Cox was sin-binned for his overzealous reaction in the ensuing melee.
Cherry and Whites boss Nigel Davies admitted Gloucester will take whatever punishment comes Hazell's way, with the flanker himself admitting remorse and embarrassment.
But the Kingsholm club submitted pictures of Hazell's facial injuries to ERC on Thursday night, when they made their report to citing officers.
