Pau manager Sébastien Piqueronies, suspected of physical assault on Scottish referee Sam Grove-White at the end of the match against the Cheetahs (South Africa) on Saturday in the Challenge Cup, received a 10-week suspension for "misconduct" , announced this Thursday the EPCR, the organizer of the competition.
A citing complaint has been made against Pau head coach Sébastien Piqueronies for physically abusing referee Sam Grove-White.
pic.twitter.com/u3uZ0vKHS9
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) December 13, 2022
It is a lesser evil for the Pau technician, mentioned by the Citing Commissioner of the match, the Czech Csaba Priskin, for his aggressive behavior towards Mr. Grove-White after the defeat of the Section (21-16) and who was facing a 24 to 96 week suspension under World Rugby regulations.
“I am well aware of having participated in a situation which can damage the image of rugby, even if I consider that this is above all the consequence of a misunderstanding, indicated Piqueronies in a press release published by his club.
I assume it by accepting the sanction.
I have always had and will always have the greatest respect for the referees and officials of our sport”.
📝 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲́ 𝗱𝘂 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯
Quote from Sébastien Piqueronies following the Section-Cheetahs game 👉 https://t.co/70YQKhTBcD pic.twitter.com/atK74ylcPS
– SectionPaloise (@SectionPaloise) December 15, 2022
Piqueronies, as well as his legal adviser and two leaders of the Pau club were heard on Wednesday by an independent Disciplinary Commission of the EPCR.
After viewing the images of the incident, she decided to continue the disciplinary hearing "for a complaint of misconduct" rather than for physical assault of an official, the initial qualification.
This Independent Commission recognized the Bearn manager "guilty of a less serious offense consisting of using threatening words and actions towards the referee", punishable by 20 weeks of suspension.
"Because of Piqueronies' clean disciplinary record and the fact that he pleaded guilty", this Commission "granted him the 50% reduction for extenuating circumstances" and "imposed a sanction of 10 weeks of suspension".
Piqueronies is now prohibited from contact with his team on official match days (Top 14 included) and from access to the technical area, the edge of the field, the locker rooms, and any area where his team circulates, as well as from using communication systems with his staff during this period.