Newcastle DoR Steve Diamond cops ban over 'wholly unacceptable' comments

Newcastle Falcons’ Director of Rugby Steve Diamond has been handed a six-match ban by the RFU following his side’s controversial defeat to bottom-of-the-table rivals Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in March.

Diamond admitted directing verbal abuse at match officials following the Falcons’ 17–15 loss, when he felt Greg Fisilau’s try should have been disallowed due to an illegal clear-out by Tamati Tua several phases earlier.

He landed himself in hot water with the authorities but admitted the offence when he appeared before the panel chaired by Sam Hillas KC, sitting with panel members Becky Essex and Martyn Wood.

Will Felix Jones be the next Bok Head Coach? | RPTV

The Boks Office boy speculate as to whether Felix Jones’ return could set him up for a long term future with the Springboks. Watch the full show now on RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

Will Felix Jones be the next Bok Head Coach? | RPTV

The Boks Office boy speculate as to whether Felix Jones’ return could set him up for a long term future with the Springboks. Watch the full show now on RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

“There was a clear act of foul play in the buildup to the try. I don’t know for the life of me why the TMO doesn’t have a look at it at least. I didn’t see it live … but on the first replay I’ve seen, it’s ridiculous.

“Callum Chick asked the ref to check it, but nothing. If we are going to take foul play out of the game then let’s not waste time and just look at forward passes to see whether a try is a try. I am disappointed th the officials,” he said.

The panel were highly critical of Diamond in their summation of the case.

“Mr Diamond accepted that his conduct was prejudicial to the interests of the game. The two issues for the Panel were, firstly, whether the words used towards the TMO amounted to disrespect or verbal abuse of a match official.”

“And secondly, whether the circumstances of what happened after the match gave rise to two separate charges. The Panel determined that Mr Diamond’s course of conduct should be dealt with as one charge of verbal abuse.

“Mr Diamond’s behaviour on 29 March was wholly unacceptable: the language used was inappropriate, abusive and entirely contrary to rugby’s core values.

“There is no place for abuse of match officials, and this applies with equal force whether dealing with the professional or community game.

“Mr Diamond has, quite rightly, apologised to the match officials for his conduct on the day, and the panel has made it clear that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and should not be repeated.

“This offence was charged as a breach of RFU Rule 5.12 and, as such, the panel was not bound by the sanctions table. The panel had regard to the entry points for breaches of Law 9.28 (match official abuse) as well as the relevant mitigating and aggravating features and determined a ban of six weeks was proportionate in all the circumstances,” said Hillas in a statement the RFU released on Friday evening.