18-week ban for Diamond

Sale boss Steve Diamond has been handed an 18-week touchline ban and fined £4,000 for verbally abusing match officials.

Sale boss Steve Diamond has been handed an 18-week touchline ban and fined £4,000 for verbally abusing match officials.

Diamond has been banned from entering the playing enclosure, technical area, approaching Match Officials and communicating or attempting to communicate directly with match officials before, during and after games.

The Sale 'executive director of sport' pleaded guilty to charges of “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game” at a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing after verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes and his assistants Rhys Davies and Gareth Copsey at the end of the 21-19 defeat by London Irish on January 8.

The Sharks were defeated at the Madejski Stadium after Barnes awarded the Exiles a late penalty for a scrum offence that was kicked by Adrian Jarvis.

The ban runs until June 20.

“Referees strive to do the best they can in a highly-pressurised environment,” said the panel.

“Wayne Barnes is acknowledged as one of the best referees in the game.
“Referees are entitled to respect at all times, whether the final whistle has been blown or not.”

Diamond must pay the GBP 4,000 fine within 14 days.