URC coach cops six-game suspended ban and fine for referee ‘interaction’

Jared Wright
Cardiff Head Coach Matt Sherratt

Cardiff Head Coach Matt Sherratt.

Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt has been handed a ban and fine following his interaction with referee Mike Adamson, which was deemed inappropriate.

A URC statement confirming Sherratt’s sanctions did not delve into the details of the interaction but the Cardiff boss accepted that his actions were “not appropriate”.

Matt Sherratt banned and fined

Sherratt took issue with the officiating during his side’s 19-17 defeat to Ulster in Belfast last week.

The game was marred with controversy, with many onlookers believing that Cardiff should have been awarded a penalty try for Cormac Izuchukwu’s actions in denying Thomas Young a try.

Cardiff were later denied a match-winning try because of a deliberate knock-on by Rhys Carre, which also resulted in a penalty to seal the win for Ulster.

Law discussion: Were Cardiff ‘robbed’ in Belfast?

Sherratt has now been handed a suspended fine of £2,500 for 12 months, while Cardiff Rugby are also subject to a suspended fine of £5,000 for 12 months.

He will also serve a one-match ban with a further five-game suspended ban if he transgresses again. He will also attend an online referee course.

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URC statement

The URC statement read: “Cardiff Rugby’s head coach Matt Sherratt will today serve a one-game sideline ban for their game against Edinburgh.

“This is the result of disciplinary sanction related to an interaction between Sherratt and the match referee (Mike Adamson) of the R14 fixture between Ulster and Cardiff Rugby.

“Sherratt has accepted that his actions were not appropriate and therefore a six-game ban with five games suspended for 12 months will be enforced today. Sherratt will be allowed to sit in the stands and enter the dressing rooms during the 80 minutes of play.

“Additionally, he will attend an online referee course, is subject to a suspended fine of £2,500 for 12 months while Cardiff Rugby are also subject to a suspended fine of £5,000 for 12 months.”

READ MORE: Nigel Owens weighs into controversial disallowed URC try debate after Cardiff ‘robbed’