Munster medic set for disciplinary hearing following Saracens incident

The Munster medic at the centre of the incident which sparked a 30-man brawl in Saracens’ Heineken Champions Cup defeat of the Irish province earlier this month is set for a disciplinary hearing.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have confirmed that a misconduct complaint has been brought against the Munster Rugby Team Doctor, Dr Jamie Kearns.

The Munster doctor reportedly abused Saracens hooker Jamie George about his weight in the English club’s 15-6 win at Allianz Park on December 14. George reacted angrily, leading to a mass brawl on the pitch.

Following an investigation, EPCR have now confirmed that Dr Kearns will be subject to a disciplinary hearing.

“Following an investigation, EPCR has decided to bring a misconduct complaint against the Munster Rugby Team Doctor, Dr Jamie Kearns, arising from the Heineken Champions Cup fixture between Saracens and Munster on Saturday, 14 December 2019,” the statement read.

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“During the second half of the Round 4 match at Allianz Park, it is alleged that Dr Kearns directed an abusive comment, or comments, at the Saracens player, Jamie George, and that the comment, or comments, may have had the potential to bring the sport of rugby union, the Heineken Champions Cup, and/or EPCR into disrepute.

“In making the alleged comment, or comments, Dr Kearns breached the Disciplinary Rules of the 2019/20 EPCR Participation Agreement.

“An independent Disciplinary Committee to hear the misconduct complaint will be convened, and a date for the hearing will be announced as soon as practicable.

“EPCR will not be commenting on this matter in the meantime.”

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Meanwhile, Sale Director of Rugby Steve Diamond is also on the end of a misconduct complaint following comments he made about French Test referee Mathieu Raynal and his assistants after his team’s 20-22 home defeat to Exeter in the Champions Cup.

Voicing his displeasure with a number of decisions after the game, Diamond said of the officials:

“Hopefully that’ll go through to their assessors and we’ll never see the b******s again in Manchester. Joke!”

He will now face a disciplinary hearing for bringing the game into disrepute.

“Following an investigation, EPCR has decided to bring a misconduct complaint against the Sale Sharks Director of Rugby, Steve Diamond, arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 3 match against the Exeter Chiefs on Sunday, 8 December 2019,” EPCR stated.

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“It is alleged that during his post-match media duties, Steve Diamond made comments that may have been insulting to, or disparaging of, or critical of match officials, and that these comments may have had the potential to bring the sport of rugby union, the Heineken Champions Cup, and/or EPCR, into disrepute.

“In making the alleged comments, Steve Diamond breached the Media Rules and the Disciplinary Rules of the 2019/20 EPCR Participation Agreement.

“An independent Disciplinary Committee to hear the misconduct complaint will be convened, and a date for the hearing will be announced as soon as practicable.

“EPCR will not be commenting on this matter in the meantime.”

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