Falcons boss banned for 'referee abuse'

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons’ Director of Rugby, Steve Diamond, has received the outcome of his disciplinary hearing.

He admitted he breached Rule 5.12 – conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and/or union.

He was found guilty of having directed verbal abuse towards match officials following the Exeter Chiefs versus Newcastle Falcons match on Saturday, March 29.

The panel, chaired by Sam Hillas, sitting with panel members Becky Essex and Martyn Wood, found Diamond had directed verbal abuse towards match officials and he was given a six match suspension.

“Diamond accepted that his conduct was prejudicial to the interests of the game,” Hillas said.

“The two issues for the panel were, firstly whether the words used towards the TMO amounted to disrespect or verbal abuse of a match official and secondly, whether the circumstances of what happened after the match gave rise to two separate charges.

“The Panel determined that Mr Diamond’s course of conduct should be dealt with as one charge of verbal abuse.

“Diamond’s behaviour on March 29 was wholly unacceptable: the language used was inappropriate, abusive and entirely contrary to rugby’s core values.

“There is no place for abuse of match officials and this applies with equal force whether dealing with the professional or community game.

“Diamond has, quite rightly, apologised to the match officials for his conduct on the day and the panel has made it clear that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and should not be repeated.

“This offence was charged as a breach of RFU Rule 5.12 and, as such, the Panel was not bound by the sanctions table. The panel had regard to the entry points for breaches of Law 9.28 (match official abuse) as well as the relevant mitigating and aggravating features and determined a ban of six weeks was proportionate in all the circumstances.”