Gold sanctioned for crude behaviour
Gold admitted a charge of misconduct on Tuesday, which also involved two breaches of the Super Rugby Competition Rules, by engaging with the Television Match Official (TMO) during the second half of the match.
In his finding, Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton concluded that, by his own admission, Gold had approached the TMO on two separate occasions (65th and 71st minutes) and had using crude and insulting language toward him.
Gold breached Super Rugby Competition Rule 3.8 (7), which says that no person may engage, or attempt to engage with a TMO during a Match in relation to the TMOs officiating in the match. Gold also breached the SANZAAR Code of Conduct Section 8.3 (l) which states: "All persons shall not use crude, insulting or abusive language towards match officials."
"Hampton confirmed that Gold should be fined A$5000 for each of the two breaches of Rule 3.8 (7) as permitted under competition rules [a total of A$10,000] and a further A$5000 for the SANZAAR Code of Conduct breach, of which A$2500 is to be suspended for a 12 month period," said a SANZAAR statement.
"Gold was formally reprimanded, issued with a warning as to the likely consequences of further unacceptable behaviour, and told that any further Code of Conduct breach within 12 months would result in the suspended A$2500 becoming immediately payable. He was also ordered to pay SANZAAR’s costs of A$1000.
"Gold has unreservedly apologised for his behavior to the TMO, Johan Greeff, and agreed that this type of behaviour has no place in the game."
