Ronan O’Gara angry at ‘selective treatment’ from French rugby authorities after latest citing
Former Ireland fly-half, and current La Rochelle head coach, Ronan O'Gara in 2023.
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara believes that he is being treated unfairly by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby after being cited for an incident last weekend.
The Ireland great has regularly been in the dock over his sideline antics and has received bans on four previous occasions while at his current club.
One even stretched for 10 matches due to conduct which was deemed to be “harming the best interests of rugby”.
Incident against Racing
O’Gara’s latest citing came following La Rochelle’s Top 14 encounter against Racing 92 on Sunday, which ended in a 32-10 defeat.
“Following the above-mentioned match [Racing 92 v Stade Rochelais], the match officials appointed for this meeting reported the behaviour of Mr. Ronan O’Gara, coach of Stade Rochelais,” a statement from the LNR read.
“The situation in question is likely to constitute an infringement of the General Regulations of the LNR and the FFR.
“Mr. Ronan O’Gara and Stade Rochelais are summoned before the Disciplinary Commission and regulations at its meeting of December 6, 2023.
“Mr. Ronan O’Gara is not suspended pending this hearing.”
O’Gara is going to contest this latest incident, however, after what he felt was simply a normal inquiry during last weekend’s match.
According to the former playmaker, he merely asked the fourth official why a penalty try was not awarded to La Rochelle in the first half.
Nationality a factor
The 46-year-old even went on to imply that his nationality was a factor in him receiving yet another citing.
“The Clermont coach Christophe Urios has slated officials publicly in the media but he isn’t an Irish coach making his way in France…” he wrote in his Irish Examiner column.
“Certainly, there is a sense here, without a hint of paranoia, that selective treatment is a concern.
“Others appear to be able to comment on officialdom with impunity, yet I look sideways at someone and I am up before a hearing committee again.”
O’Gara will face the disciplinary hearing on December 6 ahead of their Champions Cup opener against Leinster, which is a repeat of the past two finals.
READ MORE: La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara could face yet another touchline ban
