Stormers hearing adjourned, again

Editor

The SANZAR judicial proceedings relating to misconduct charges against the Stormers management have been delayed.

The SANZAR judicial proceedings relating to misconduct charges lodged against the Stormers team management have been delayed for a second time.

The Stormers and their team management have been called to answer complaints Match Day Misconduct during the clash against the Hurricanes on 26 April in Palmerston North.

According to reports in the New Zealand media, assistant referee Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri was subjected to “constant criticism” for the duration of the match.

3 News reported that Eden-Whaitiri has accused Stormers officials of calling him a “cheat” and subjecting him to constant swearing and abuse, including the suggestion that he “should go back to club rugby.”

The initial hearing which commenced on Tuesday was adjourned at the request of Stormers management.

Upon resumption of the hearing on Thursday, Judicial Officer Adam Casselden “could not proceed due to concerns that a fair hearing was no longer possible because of the disclosure of certain information to him,” according to a SANZAR statement.

Casselden has referred the misconduct complaints to a new SANZAR Judicial Officer in the belief that a new hearing is necessary in the interests of fairness to all parties.

SANZAR will appoint a new Judicial Officer and set a date and time for the new hearing in due course.

At the direction of the Judicial Officer, SANZAR and the Stormers will make no further comments.