Maestri hit with 30,000 fine

Editor

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 18: Referee Wayne Barnes awards the winning try scored by Camille Chat during the RBS Six Nations match between France and Wales at Stade de France on March 18, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Yoann Maestri, the France lock forward and vice-captain, appeared at a Six Nations disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday.

Maestri appeared having been charged with misconduct by the Six Nations Disciplinary Officer in respect of comments made to representatives of the media about match officials (and in particular Wayne Barnes) shortly after the Six Nations match between France and Wales at Stade de France on Saturday, March 18.

The independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Roger Morris (Wales), along with Achille Reali (Italy) and David Martin (Ireland) reviewed all of the evidence (including the media articles written after Maestri had made the comments) and heard submissions from and on behalf of, respectively, the Disciplinary Officer and Maestri.

Maestri accepted that he had committed an act of misconduct and openly apologised for making the comments.

The Disciplinary Committee imposed on Maestri a fine of €30,000, with one half (€15,000) payable within 30 days, and one half (€15,000) suspended until the end of the 2017/18 season.

The Disciplinary Committee also ordered Maestri to pay Six Nations' legal costs.

Maestri said at the time: “He (Barnes) told us we were not dominant enough.

“Anglo-Saxon referees always talk about fair play but the reality is that they think we’re cheats. When you are repeatedly crushed in a five-metre scrum, you concede defeat.

“There’s a complicity between Anglo Saxons and it is in these moments that you realise it. It was unbelievable.