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Huge ban, fine for O'Gara after 'attack on best interests of rugby'

(Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Title-winning La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara has been heavily sanctioned by officials in France following his latest Top 14 disciplinary hearing. The Irishman, who guided the French club to Heineken Champions Cup glory last May in Marseille, had been in disciplinary trouble before on a number of occasions but Ligue National de Rugby appear to have finally lost their patience and have now thrown the book at him.

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His latest case was even referred to the LNR president and FFR secretary general and having appeared at a hearing following his return to France after his week co-coaching the Barbarians versus the All Blacks XV in London, an LNR statement read: “Ronan O’Gara was sanctioned with a ten-week suspension as well as a fine of €20,000, of which €5,000 was accompanied by a suspended sentence on the grounds of an ‘attack on the best interests of rugby’…

“…and more particularly for ‘any breach by a person referred to in article 714, of honour or probity, any conduct violent or abusive or defamatory remarks by a person referred to in article 714 with regard to any failure to respect the duty of confidentiality, as well as any deliberate violation of the federal regulations or general regulations of the LNR or conduct likely to infringe to the image, reputation or interests of rugby or its bodies, any breach of ethics and sports ethics, any non-compliance with a decision pronounced by a disciplinary body of the LNR’.

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“Consequently, O’Gara will be requalified on January 30, 2023. Under article 65 of the LNR’s general regulations, La Rochelle were sanctioned with a fine of €20,000 including €5,000 suspended. These decisions are subject to appeal before the FFR appeals committee within seven days from the notification of the full reasoned decision.”

It was only two months ago when O’Gara was banned from the matchday touchline for six weeks after facing the charge of disrespecting a match official following the September 10 La Rochelle win at Lyon.

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O’Gara’s numerous previous run-ins with the French disciplinary process were a factor at that hearing as his case was given a six-week entry point when it came to punishment and the suspension was initially increased to eight due to his previous disciplinary record before being reduced back to six when mitigating factors were taken into account. His club were also fined €10,000.

It was while in London a fortnight ago that La Rochelle boss O’Gara reiterated his ambition to coach England once Eddie Jones finishes up in the position following the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. “Yeah, of course, I would be (interested),” he said. “It’s a huge job.

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“There’s probably a lot involved with it and you’d have to be very firm with what your criteria are and what your role is. When you strip it all back, essentially you want to be winning games, but you need a strong support network around you to be put in that position. I would be thorough in my approach, in terms of what country you’d like to coach. There are a handful that jump out straight away…”

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7 Comments
M
Michael Röbbins (academic and writer extraordinair 963 days ago

Haha, I want to see all that same energy from those with knives out and beaks bloodied re: Rassie. I know you Angleterre and Eriugena are in love with the prospect of pretty boy O’Gara, but let’s see that same vitriol… BS, let’s see an article from you on this, even though you probably wiped Ronan’s derrière while he coached down in kiwi land for a spell.

L
Left Winger 964 days ago

O'Gara's behaviour has clearly upset the generous French rugby authorities - which is disappointing since they gave him the chance to make a name for himself and enhance his prospects.

He may have unwittingly blotted a once promising copy book.

As for announcing his interest in coaching England?

Have to say, would have thought that would be a complete no-no for any self-respecting Irishman.

How wrong I was to imagine ROG had designs on the ultimate prize, to coach Ireland. That can no longer be an option, surely.

M
Michael Röbbins (academic and writer extraordinair 963 days ago

Ya dunce okie, give the boiler plate nationalism a rest and actually think through the processes of players/coaches in the contemporary game.

S
SM 964 days ago

Totally agree Tony, don't even go to tests now.

T
Tony 964 days ago

I don't what OGara did wrong apart from disagreement with official, because they talk in riddles with articles about what he did,but thing that stands out to me is that ref's are not accountable, not one ref consistant with another, it's got to the stage they influence the game instead of being a shadow in the game, the game is not about the ref however like it or not its about the ref now, and we wonder why less people watch rugby world wide.

Put it this way when I go to watch a game with friends I know we are more concerned who the ref is, than the player selection it shouldn't be this way unfortunately it is.

And coaches aren't allowed to disagree or comment on bad calls by the ref.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
Bok rule-benders are changing the game. They deserve respect

You want a lot of things that will never happen. You describe rugby League. You should go and watch that then. Rugby is supposed to be competitive. It's the opposition team that should figure out how to defend and turn it into an attack on the fly. The Boks play within the rules. Everyone says that kick off should have been a penalty. The law state that from a kick off it's a scrum. It's confusing as with mauls and rucks, the player has to be behind the kicker. The same does not hold true for kick offs. That law they can change, because the same rule should apply across the board for players to be behind the kicker. It's not the first time that the infield lineout has been used, only the first time in an international match. If I remember correctly, the Barbarians used it against England in 2021 or 2022 (under correction). It's also been used in SR during the 2000’s. There is just this big hoo haw because the Boks did it. If it was another team like the Irish or England or the French or someone, it would be innovative, genius and brilliant. The dummy the AB's did where a player broke to the right, acting like he had the ball, meanwhile the scrumhalfs ran down the sideline and scored. I don't hear you cry about that. That can be seen as cynical play and there is even a case for unsportsmanlike behaviour and at a minimum a yellow card. Yet there is silence from you about that. I on the other hand thought that was a great tactic. It's also not a new invention, but an old one. You only love rugby when it suits you. I don't care what new tactics teams use, or whoever the team is that is doing it. Every new invention or tactic or play that the coaches comes up with is great for rugby. It keeps it interesting. There is no law that prevents other coaches using the same tactics or create their own. It's up to coaches to come up with defense strategies to cut that down, and even retaliate against it. The game is never boring. It keeps evolving. People keep talking about rugby and all these things is what draw new fans. They don't want boring. They want innovative and fun. They want to hear the crash of bodies. They want to see the strength of the scrums. They want to see the speed, agility and flair of the players. The amazing passes and jukes or side steps. The only reason you are so up in arms is because the Boks did it and now you want it banned. The same rhyme over and over. Matt Williams wannabe. Nah, you don't love rugby or else you would enjoy the most exciting era yet in this lovely sport. Stars in so many national teams has never been more abundant nor was there so many teams that could beat each other on any given day. Not to even mention watching an era of the most controversial but most innovative and clever coach ever. A dynasty that's to last for a very long time even after he retires. Like him or hate him, his genius is undeniable and he is recognised world wide as the best coach in most countries by fans and pundits alike, even if they don't like him. Stop the hate and rather enjoy what's to come.

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