The World Cup's judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar said the
American had acted dangerously and intentionally when he spear tackled Barkley
in the dying stages of USA’s 28-10 loss to the defending champions.Crerar said Emerick could have possibly received a maximum penalty of at least 10 weeks but the ban was reduced to five because of mitigating circumstances.
Earlier in the match, Emerick was tripped by England skipper Phil Vickery, who also appeared before the judiciary, although Crerar said that was not an aggravating factor.
"The JO considered that the offence was intentional, that there was a deliberate tipping motion in the tackle with an element of force driving the opposing player in a downward motion," World Cup organisers said in a statement.
"This led to the opposing player being stunned immediately after the tackle, that he was vulnerable and unable to protect his position.
"The JO believed that the act was premeditated in the lifting and twisting of the opposing player and considered this to be a top end offence.
