Gallagher Premiership side the Leicester Tigers have taken aim at the Rugby Football Union (RFU) over their handling of an alleged transgression by head coach Michael Cheika.
The incident in question involved an alleged interaction between Cheika and a match day doctor during the Tiger’s 17 – 14 win over the Exeter Chiefs in round one.
Cheika was accused of disrespecting the match day doctor and was subsequently slapped with a two match ban with one suspended until the end of the season.
Releasing a statement following the incident an RFU panel wrote, “The panel found that Michael Cheika disrespected the Independent match day doctor in challenging the decision he had made that a player was subject to an IPR (Immediate Permanent Removal),” said Richard Whittam, who chaired the panel.
“Although it was an unusual case because there was a lack of clarity about the decisions made about the head injuries, the decisions of the Independent Match Day Doctor must be respected.
“In this particular case, the appropriate sanction was one of two weeks. The panel mitigated this by suspending one week until the end of the season.”
Leicester have since released a statement of their own following the revelation of new details surrounding the incident.
“Leicester Tigers welcome the panel’s finding that head coach Michael Cheika was not intimidating or abusive towards the match day doctor following the recent game with Exeter Chiefs, however the club would nevertheless like to express its dissatisfaction with the finding that Michael Cheika was disrespectful.
“Whilst the panel have yet to provide reasons for its decision, the club is particularly disappointed with the disrespectful finding given that multiple witnesses gave evidence at the disciplinary hearing supporting Michael’s version of events.
“The club is also disappointed that despite its request not to do so, the RFU issued a statement announcing the panel’s decision despite the club having not yet been provided with the written judgment and knowing the exact reasons for the decision.
“Additionally, we find it regrettable that the RFU’s statement included some reasoning for the decision from the Chairman of the panel which was not shared with the club at the hearing and before the written judgment has been provided.
“Leicester Tigers would like to place on record that it would never question the World Rugby HIA process when correctly implemented and is rigorously committed to the safety, wellbeing and health of our players.
“We will be seeking clarification on the above and reserve the right to lodge an appeal of the decision within the fourteen-day period allowed once we have been provided with the written judgment by the RFU.”
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