ERC imposes heavy fine on Stade Francais’ Michael Cheika for his inappropriate comments
European Club Rugby (ERC), the organizers and governing body of the European Rugby Union tournaments including the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup, has imposed a heavy fine on French professional rugby union side, Stade Francais, director of Rugby,
Michael Cheika. ERC has announced the result of the hearing on Wednesday, July 20.
Earlier, Michael Cheika was cited by the ERC for two abusive remarks that he passed during this year’s Amlin Challenge Cup final, played between the Stade Francais and Harlequins at the Cardiff City Stadium, Friday, May 20.
The disciplinary hearing was convened on Tuesday, July 19 as the ERC disciplinary officer, Roger O’Connor, presented the case before the independent disciplinary committee chaired by Simon Thomas from Wales. Mark McParland from Ireland and Antony Davies
from England assisted Thomas in the hearing. John O’Donnell SC and Richard Pool-Jones represented Cheika in the hearing.
Two complaints were filed against Cheika. The first was related to the inappropriate comments Cheika made to match officials during the half-time of the final game. While the second was related to inappropriate comments that Cheika made to an ERC representative.
The disciplinary committee has announced their verdict on Wednesday, July 20, in which they find Michael Cheika guilty of the offence. They termed Cheika’s behavior and remarks contrary to the spirit and rules of the game.
Disciplinary committee chairman, Simon Thomas, commenting on the verdict and said, “In reaching its decision, the independent Disciplinary Committee had at the forefront of its mind one of the core values of rugby, that of respect, which match officials
and others involved in the game are entitled to be shown at all times.”
Reports are that the Cheika admitted making the inappropriate comments, which has helped him earn some cushion by escaping heavy fine. Besides this, the committee has imposed a fine of 20,000 Euros on Cheika. The amount is actually the 50 percent of the
original fine imposed.
However, the 50 percent fine is conditional to Cheika’s behavior and can be removed if he does not repeat a similar infraction until June 30, 2013.
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