Leicester Tigers Women's forwards coach receives seven-match ban for match official abuse
Luke Stratford, Leicester Tigers Women’s forwards coach has received a seven-week ban for conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game under RFU Rule 5.12.
The incident happened in the 65th minute of the Premiership Women’s Rugby match against Bristol Bears on the 13 January, 2024. Stratford, who was acting as water carrier, approached fourth official Adam White when the alleged abuse took place.
White subsequently completed a Match Official Abuse Report which stated: “At 64.37 following a penalty try for a deliberate knock on with no cover, where Leicester 15 was yellow carded, four replacements were made 2 per team. Bristol’s replacements went without problem. Leicester 8 and 4 were due to be replaced by 16 and 19 respectively.
“The Leicester water carrier had informed me that Leicester 4 hadn’t left the field. 4 had not left the field and the kick off took place. I let Andy Wigley know and a penalty was issued at where the ball landed from the kick off.
“The water carrier approached me and said “why is that a penalty”. I explained that it was the team who had not left the field and therefore their responsibility, He replied “That’s a f***ing joke”. I responded “sorry, it’s your responsibility”, and he responded “you’re a f***ing joke”.
“This was direct to me and we were less than 3 meters in distance with a clear line of sight. We had eye contact throughout. There was nobody else that these comments could have been targeted towards, as I was the only Match Official in the area.”
Stratford admitted saying “that’s a f***ing joke”, however denied saying “you’re a f***ing joke”, and said that White had misheard him and he had repeated the first phrase for a second time.
The findings of the hearing concluded: “ The Panel found that, on the balance of probabilities, the charge against Mr Stratford was proved. Mr Stratford had said “you’re a f***ing joke” to Mr White, and had therefore committed Match Official abuse, which is conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game, contrary to RFU Rule 5.12.”
In the findings from the hearing, it was made clear that the exact words that were used were important as the first statement constituted disrespecting the authority of a Match Official, while the second would be verbal abuse of a Match Official. Given the different entry points of the two, it was decided that in order to apply the appropriate sanction in line with the guidance issued by the RFU Head of Judiciary under RFU Regulation 19.1.17 , the panel would: “Have to make findings of fact as to the exact words used.”
This was the second time Stratford had attended a panel hearing for match official abuse in his career, to which the panel for the recent offence stated that they were: “very concerned by the similarities between Mr Stratford’s conduct in the 2021 judgment and the present case. This is exactly the type of behaviour that the game is seeking to eradicate.
“The Panel gave serious consideration to a further aggravation of the sanction to reflect the repeated nature of the offending. On a fine balance, the Panel decided that it was not appropriate on this occasion. The Panel cautioned Mr Stratford that, if there was a further similar incident, another Panel may not be as lenient.”
Stratford accepted that his behaviour was “inappropriate and unacceptable” and has received a seven-match ban. He will miss the following fixtures:
21.01 v Sale Sharks Women
03.02 v Gloucester-Hartpury
10.02 v Loughborough Lightning
23.02 v Trailfinders Women
03.03 v Saracens Women
13.04 v Harlequins Women
20.04 v Trailfinders Women
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments