Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his ban for criticising a referee downgraded.
The Argentinian said he “deeply regrets” the outburst which saw him banned for two Tests. He will now only miss one, Saturday’s clash with the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.
Quesada was fuming in a TV interview after Italy’s 47-17 defeat to the All Blacks in Wellington last week, blasting French referee Luc Ramos as “super poor”.
He also hit out at the scheduling of the Nations Championship.
World Rugby suspended him under a new rule introduced this month called the Match Official Abuse Sanction Process.
MORE: World Rugby bans Italy coach after TV rant
Quesada opted to appeal and after fronting an Independent Disciplinary Committee in Perth, the punishment was downgraded to one Test.
“I have apologised privately to Luc Ramos and want to do so publicly,” Quesada said in a statement.
“He is a referee who deserves to officiate at this level, and I have the utmost respect for him, as for all match officials.
“Discussions about refereeing should take place in the appropriate places, and not in public – the words of us coaches and players carry weight and can contribute to criticism or abuse of referees, particularly on social media.
“I deeply regret if my comments played a role in this.”
TEAM: Azzurri scrape the barrel for Aussie battle
– AFP
Photo: Toru Hanai/Getty Images
The post Italy coach’s ban reduced appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his ban for criticising a referee downgraded.
The post Italy coach’s ban reduced appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
