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Steve Diamond banned for this post match interview

By Online Editors
Steve Diamond receives suspension

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Steve Diamond appeared before an independent disciplinary panel last night charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game contrary to RFU Rule 5.12.

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Following the match Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs on Friday 27 October 2017, Diamond gave a broadcast interview during which he allegedly failed to respect the authority of the match referee, Craig Maxwell-Keys.

At the hearing the Sale Sharks Director of Rugby accepted the charges and the panel decided that:

The remaining three weeks of the suspended sanction imposed on Diamond by a disciplinary panel in February 2017 from entering the playing enclosure or technical area, approaching match officials and communicating or attempting to communicate with match officials before the game, during the game (to include the half-time period) or after the game will be activated.

This will take in to account the two games that Diamond stood himself down for on 3 and 10 November 2017.

The remaining week of that suspension will be served on 19 November 2017 against Leicester Tigers.

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The suspended portion of the fine imposed by the panel in February 2017 (£1500) is activated.

A further six-week stadium ban is imposed, 50% of which is to be served immediately following Sale Sharks game v Leicester Tigers and includes matches against Northampton Saints, Worcester Warriors and Cardiff Blues in the European competition.

The stadium ban means no entry to the stadium on match days.

The remaining 50% of the stadium ban is suspended until the end of the 18/19 season and may be activated in the event of any further similar offending.

Chairman of the panel Ian Unsworth QC said: “The panel were disappointed that Mr Diamond was before them once again charged with acting in a way which undermines the values of the game.

The comments made in the post-match interview clearly and obviously undermined the referee and were an attack upon his character, competence and integrity.

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Those comments struck at the heart of the game’s core values. The game is built upon respect. There must be respect for officials.

“The panel made it clear that the continuing behaviour of Mr Diamond is unacceptable and, if it continues, may lead a future panel to consider deducting points from Sale Sharks.”

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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