Steve Diamond fined, touchline ban for Munster doctor
Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond has escaped a touchline ban for insulting match officials but has been issued with a fine by Champions Cup organisers.
Diamond was alleged to have made disparaging remarks against referee Mathieu Raynal and his assistants after his side’s 22-20 defeat by Exeter Chiefs on December 8.
The 50-year-old, who has a chequered disciplinary history, immediately made it clear he was joking but an independent hearing has upheld the misconduct complaint and fined him £2,553.
“Steve Diamond made comments that had the effect of insulting the match officials,” an European Professional Club Rugby statement read.
“These comments had the potential to bring the sport of rugby union, the Heineken Champions Cup, and/or EPCR, into disrepute.
“The committee took into account Steve Diamond’s timely admission of wrongdoing, in addition to his numerous subsequent public comments and apologies to the team of match officials for any offence caused.
“They determined that Steve Diamond be given a formal reprimand and fined him E3,000 (payable immediately).”
"We don't want that in our game."@BrianODriscoll believes a Munster medic may have gone too far in the game at @Saracens 🗣️#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/P7jDkBG9bx
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 15, 2019
Meanwhile, Munster team doctor Jamie Kearns received a suspended three-week touchline ban after the misconduct complaint made him was upheld.
Kearns insulted Saracens hooker Jamie George during a 15-6 defeat at Allianz Park on December 14, calling him a “fat ****” and allegedly insulting a member of his family to ignite a mass brawl.
The disciplinary committee “took into account the immediate expression of remorse shown by Kearns” when deciding to issue the suspended touchline ban and ordering a fine of £1,700.