Pau coach facing life ban for 'physical abuse' of ref?
DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS - ROUND ONE: Section Paloise coach Sébastien Piqueronies is facing a long, possibly a life ban.
Piqueronies was cited after his team's 16-21 loss to the Cheetahs in a Challenge Cup Round One outing at Stade Hameau in Pau at the weekend.
It is one of a host of citings from the opening weekend of European competitions - Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
The organisation that runs European competitions, EPCR, confirmed that the Pau coach, Piqueronies, was cited for "physically abusing" Scottish referee Sam Grove-White at the conclusion of the match.
The complaint was made by the match citing commissioner Csaba Priskin (Czech Republic).
He will be charged with having contravened Law 9.28.
Jeremy Summers (England), as Chairman, Gordon Black (Ireland) and David Humphreys (Ireland) has been appointed as the disciplinary committee.
The hearing will take place via video conference on Wednesday, December 14.
* Law 9.28 Physical abuse of a match official: Under World's Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.28 - relating to physical abuse of a match official - carries the following sanction entry points:
Low End: 24 weeks
Mid-range: 48 weeks
Top end: 96+ weeks
Life bans for similar offences are not uncommon.
* Meanwhile, from the same game, Cheetahs loose forward Teboho Mohoje has also been cited.
Mohoje is alleged to have tackled the Section Paloise centre Yvan Reilhac in a "dangerous manner" in the 26th minute of the match - in contravention of Law 9.13.
Marcello d'Orey (Portugal), as Chairman, Matthew O'Grady (England) and Tony Wheat (Ireland) has been appointed as the disciplinary committee for the hearing - which will take place via video conference on Wednesday, December 14.
The same citing commissioner, Priskin, made the complaint.
The Springbok could face anything from a two-week to 52-week ban under World's regulations.
(Continue below ...)
* Other citings from Week One
CHAMPIONS CUP
Red Card – Agustin Creevy (London Irish)
The London Irish hooker, Agustin Creevy, was issued with a red card during his club's Champions Cup match against Montpellier Hérault at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday, December 9.
Creevy was sent off by the referee, Andrea Piardi (Italy), in the 33rd minute of the match for tackling the Montpellier Hérault fullback Anthony Bouthier in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.
Kathrine Mackie (Scotland), as the Chairperson, Bogdan Zebega (Romania) and Tembelani Herbert Mayosi (South Africa) have been appointed as the disciplinary committee for the hearing which will take place on Tuesday, December 13).
Red Card – Retshegofaditswe Nche (Sharks)
The Sharks prop Retshegofaditswe Nche was issued with a red card during his club's Champions Cup, Round One match against Harlequins at Kings Park on Saturday, December 10.
Nche was sent off by the referee, Tual Trainini (France), in the 59th minute of the match for tackling the Harlequins hooker Jack Walker in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.
Declan Goodwin (Wales), as Chairman, Samantha Hillas (England) and Martyn Wood (England) have been appointed as the disciplinary committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Tuesday, December 13.
Citing complaint – Andy Warwick (Ulster)
EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Ulster prop, Andy Warwick (No 1), arising from his club's Champions Cup, Round One match against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday, December 11.
Warwick is alleged to have tackled the Sale Sharks centre Manu Tuilagi in a dangerous manner in the 33rd minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.
Roger Morris (Wales), as Chairman, Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Leon Lloyd (England) has been appointed as the disciplinary committee for the hearing which will take place on Thursday (December 15).
The complaint was made by the match citing commissioner, Wejdane Limame (France).
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Citing complaint – Charlie Maddison (Newcastle Falcons)
EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Newcastle Falcons replacement hooker Charlie Maddison arising from his club's Challenge Cup, Round One match against Connacht at The Sportsground on Saturday, December 10.
Maddison is alleged to have struck the Connacht scrumhalf Caolin Blade with his head in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.12.
Owen Rhys James (Wales), as Chairman, Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Piergiorgo Della Porta (Italy) has been appointed as the disciplinary committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Wednesday, December 14.
The complaint was made by the match citing commissioner, Kay Winter-Green (Wales).
Under World's Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to striking with the head carries the following sanction entry points:
Low End: Six weeks
Mid-range: 10 weeks
Top end: 16 to 104 weeks