Maverick medic and coach fined

DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS: Munster team doctor Jamie Kearns and Sale Director of' Steve Diamond were both disciplined for recent transgressions in European competitions.

The Munster team doctor, Kearns, has been fined and given a suspended ban following abusive comments made to Saracens hooker Jamie George, the body in charge of the European Champions Cup announced on Tuesday.

A disciplinary committee upheld a complaint of misconduct against Kearns, who was found to have insulted England international George over his weight during Munster's 6-15 loss away to Saracens on December 14, sparking a touchline brawl.

Tournament organisers European Professional Club' said the committee had fined Kearns €2,000 (£1,700), payable immediately, and given him a three-week touchline ban suspended for 12 months.

In a statement, the committee said it "took into account the immediate expression of remorse shown by Kearns."

Meanwhile, the Sale boss, Diamond, escaped an EPCR touchline ban for insulting match officials, but was fined nonetheless.

The often outspoken Diamond was sanctioned for comments he made regarding French referee Mathieu Raynal and his touch judges following Sale's 22-20 loss to English rivals Exeter on December 8.

Diamond, who insisted he had been joking, was fined €3,000 (£2,553).

"Steve Diamond made comments that had the effect of insulting the match officials," said EPCR in a statement.

"These comments had the potential to bring the sport of rugby union, the (European) Champions Cup, and/or EPCR, into disrepute.

"The committee took into account Steve Diamond's timely admission of wrongdoing, in addition to his numerous subsequent public comments and apologies to the team of match officials for any offence caused.

"They determined that Steve Diamond be given a formal reprimand and fined him €3,000 (payable immediately)."

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Dr Jamie Kearns (Munster)

A disciplinary committee composed of Chairman Simon Thomas (Wales), Jean-Noël Couraud (France) and Rhian Williams (Wales), convened in London on December 30 under EPCR's Disciplinary Rules to hear a misconduct complaint against Munster' doctor Jamie Kearns arising from the Champions Cup, Round Four fixture between Saracens and Munster'.

The independent panel found that, during the match at Allianz Park on Saturday 14 December, Kearns verbally abused the Saracens player, Jamie George, and that in doing so, Kearns breached the EPCR disciplinary rules.

The disciplinary committee took into account the immediate expression of remorse shown by Kearns and determined that he serve a three-week touchline ban, suspended for a period of 12 months and pay a fine of €2,000 (due immediately).

Both Kearns and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Steve Diamond (Sale Sharks)

A disciplinary committee composed of Chairman Simon Thomas (Wales), Jean-Noël Couraud (France) and Rhian Williams (Wales), convened in London on December 30 under EPCR's disciplinary rules to hear a misconduct complaint against the Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Steve Diamond, arising from his club's Champions Cup, Round Three fixture against Exeter Chiefs.

The independent panel found that, during his post-match duties following the match at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday, December 8, Steve Diamond made comments that had the effect of insulting the match officials, and that these comments had the potential to bring the sport of rugby union, the Champions Cup, and/or EPCR, into disrepute.

The disciplinary committee took into account Steve Diamonds timely admission of wrongdoing, in addition to his numerous subsequent public comments and apologies to the team of match officials for any offence caused.

They determined that Steve Diamond be given a formal reprimand and fined him €3,000 (payable immediately).

Both Steve Diamond and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.