‘They don’t really want me to be in the league’ – Michael Cheika opens up on Premiership ban

Dylan Coetzee
Leicester Tigers boss Michael Cheika.

Leicester Tigers boss Michael Cheika.

Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika revealed he feels unwanted in the Premiership after being banned for two matches for intimidating an independent match day doctor (IMDD).

The incident happened in round two where two Tigers players Solomone Kata and Ollie Chessum clashed heads. Kata was then deemed unable to return by the IMDD while Chessum was initially allowed onto the field before being removed by the IMDD.

Cheika went to get answers after the game which is where he approached the IMDD with a “raised voice” and “aggressive body language” earning himself the ban and a £500 fine.

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Damages reputation

The former Wallabies and Los Pumas coach opened up on his frustrations highlighting how the saga damages his reputation.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say I was really disappointed,” said Cheika, who appeared before the disciplinary panel last Tuesday.

“Initially I didn’t want to participate at all in the judicial process because I didn’t want to hear the outcome because I knew what the outcome was going to be.

“I felt the decision wasn’t right and it hurts my reputation. I was disappointed and I almost felt like, and it’s like I’m spitting the dummy here, but I felt they don’t really want me to be in the league here because what happened is a really minor-type thing.

“Once you participate in the process then you have to abide by the rules of the game, I suppose, and that’s how it worked out.

“I want to stand up for myself but I don’t want to disrespect the process in any way, shape or form. Mainly because I don’t want to risk getting in trouble again.

“That’s important – not for me, I don’t care – but I don’t want to give the team any grief. That’s the last thing we need.”

One week of the ban has been suspended which means the coach will be available for Leicester’s clash with Northampton at the weekend.

READ MORE: Michael Cheika reveals why he took over Leicester Tigers’ coaching reins