French centre Fabrice Estebanez will miss the remainder of the World Cup after being handed a three-week suspension.

The charge has come after the 29-year-old was handed a yellow card for a tip tackle on Tonga's Joseph Tuineau during Les Bleus' 19-14 defeat at the weekend.

He was cited by independent citing commissioner Steve Hinds, and the case was heard in Auckland earlier today by the independent judicial officer Christopher Quinlan QC.

"Fabrice Estebanez of France has been suspended for three weeks after admitting committing tackle contrary to law 10(4)(j)," read a statement on the Rugby World Cup's official website.

"With respect to the sanction, the offence was deemed to be mid-range, which has an entry point of six weeks.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors, including his admission and good character and the absence of aggravating factors, the player was suspended for a period of three weeks."

Estebanez has 48 hours to appeal the decision.