Harlequins lock Charlie Matthews has been cleared by the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) of any wrong-doing during Saturday’s European Champions Cup defeat at Leinster.

The 23-year-old was cited for allegedly making contact with the area of the eye of the Leinster wing forward Dominic Ryan – he was shown a yellow card for the incident.

Matthews could have faced a ban of up to a year if found in breach of World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m) – making contact with an opponent’s eye or eye area.

However, at an EPCR hearing on Wednesday, having heard evidence from Matthews, who pleaded not guilty, and studying footage of the incident, the independent judicial officer was not satisfied that Matthews had committed a foul and dismissed the complaint.