Pau coach Sebastien Piqueronies faces a hefty suspension after grabbing a referee after his side's Challenge Cup defeat.
Piqueronies was infuriated with his side's 16-21 home defeat to Cheetahs and grabbed referee Sam Grove-White after the full-time whistle. The Scottish referee was walking past the coach who grabbed him by the arm.
Grove-White stopped to listen to what the Pau coach was saying and then attempted to walk away. However, Piqueronies kept hold for a moment before the young referee pulled him off looking shocked by the incident before walking away.
The incident happened during round one of the Challenge Cup. EPCR, the organisation that runs European competitions, has charged Piqueronies for “physically abusing” Grove-White, 30, at the conclusion of the match.
A hearing will take place on Wednesday with the punishment available for the discipline committee ranging from 24 weeks to a lifetime ban from coaching.
A video of the incident was shared online and fans were quick to give their views on the incident and what the punishment should be. @Bath Bytes thought the minimum ban of 24 weeks was sufficient for the incident. He wrote: "The low-end entry for this I believe is 24 weeks. Say sorry, admit you did it and a tray of mince pies I'm sure they'll be a sizable reduction.
However, other fans think that World Rugby should make an example of Piqueronies for showing disrespect towards the referee. @HitchikersPie said: "This is genuinely despicable, World Rugby needs to take some firm stances to get some proper downstream effects from the unions, URC, Prem Rugby, LNR, EPCR, and Super Rugby."
@JamieRogers1973 agreed with this statement and said that Piqueronies deserves a lengthy ban. He added: "Banned for a very long time I hope and not allowed to be a coach in the future."
Other fans had sympathy for referee Grove-White for being subjected to the action. @acc244909ba54b1 added: "One of the few refs that has grown a lot and got so much better with the whistle. He is really developing into a great ref. Feel for Sam."
