Russia's women's sevens captain Alena Mikhaltsova has been hit with an eight-game suspension for a kick to Australia star Evania Pelite's face on day two of the Sydney 7s.
The ugly incident was not penalised at the time, but was reported post-game with the skipper lucky to escape the maximum 12-game charge for the offence.
Mikhaltsova can appeal the ban, which will see her miss Sunday's final day in Sydney and the next World Series leg Japan in April.
The incident came late in the first half as the Russian looked to skip out of Pelite's low tackle.
Mikhaltsova's kick glanced Pelite's head, which was already strapped up after an earlier knock.
Pelite clutched at her face but didn't take the issue any further as the Australians piled on the points in a 31-0 semi-final win.
Mikhaltsova tested positive for banned substance meldonium in 2016, the same drug that led to Maria Sharapova's 15-month suspension from competitive tennis.
Australia meet New Zealand in Sunday's final, having progressed through their opening five games without conceding a point and piling on 182 of their own.
But the hosts haven't beaten the Kiwis since the 2016 Olympic gold medal match, notching five successive losses since the victory in Brazil.
World player of the year Portia Woodman looms at the Australian's biggest threat, having crossed for a staggering 13 tries, including 10 on day one, in Sydney.
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