- Michael Cheika has managed Leicester for two games and already been banned
- He has been punished for disrespecting a doctor in his first match in charge
- Leicester Tigers have slammed the RFU’s decision to ban Cheika
Leicester Tigers hit out at the RFU on Wednesday after their new head coach Michael Cheika was hit with a ban for disrespecting the matchday doctor in his first game in charge.
Cheika was pulled in front of a disciplinary panel after the club’s round-one victory over Exeter for confronting the independent medic about the immediate player removal process.
The former Australia and Argentina boss has been handed a two-match ban, although one match has been suspended until the end of the season.
After the RFU confirmed his sanction, Leicester made clear their displeasure at the process saying the club would ‘like to express its dissatisfaction with the finding that Cheika was disrespectful.’
The Tigers added: ‘Leicester welcome the panel’s finding that head coach Michael Cheika was not intimidating or abusive towards the match day doctor following the recent game with Exeter Chiefs.
Michael Cheika has been hit with a two-game ban – one suspended – for disrespecting a matchday doctor
He has been punished for his behaviour during his first game in charge of Leicester Tigers, but the club have voiced their disappointment with the decision
‘The club is particularly disappointed with the disrespectful finding given that multiple witnesses gave evidence at the disciplinary hearing supporting Michael’s version of events.
‘We find it regrettable that the RFU’s statement included some reasoning for the decision from the chairman of the panel which was not shared with the club at the hearing and before the written judgment has been provided.
‘Leicester Tigers would like to place on record that it would never question the World Rugby head injury assessment process and is rigorously committed to the safety, wellbeing and health of our players.’
Cheika will miss his team’s trip to Newcastle on Saturday but Leicester confirmed they may well appeal his ban once they receive the full, written judgement from the RFU.
Leicester centre Solomone Kata was sent off for a dangerous tackle during the Exeter match.
The written judgement at Kata’s disciplinary hearing revealed the doctor missed footage of ‘obvious on-field signs of concussion’ that should have led to his removal from the pitch prior to the powerful centre’s red card.
