Ronan O'Gara In Danger Of Yet Another Top 14 Suspension | Balls.ie

Ronan O'Gara is in danger of receiving yet another suspension from the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, for recent remarks regarding French rugby officials.

Some reports are suggesting that the comments were made during La Rochelle's Top 14 win over Brive on Saturday, but the statement from the LNR says that the comments were made "relating to arbitration, to the citing commissioners and to the organisation of the championships with the National Technical Director of Arbitration."

The Brive match was O'Gara's first game back on the touchline, after completing a six-week ban for disrespecting the authority of a match official during a league clash with Lyon in September.

If O'Gara is suspended once more, it will be his third suspension since joining La Rochelle, after being banned for two weeks last season over a similar issue.

Disrespect towards referees and officials is taken particularly seriously in rugby, and is one of the outstanding and positive features of the sport.

And, as we have also seen with the likes of South African Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, the coaching staff can often overstep their mark, and are rightfully held accountable.

Ronan O'Gara vs Referees

#Discipline
Voici les convocations de la commission de discipline et des règlements concernant la 10ème journée de TOP 14 et de PRO D2 📄➡️ https://t.co/M25JmNmxv8 pic.twitter.com/eYQsBe0R9a

— Ligue Nationale de Rugby (@LNRofficiel) November 8, 2022

Below you can read the translation of the LNR's statement regarding the incident.

“Following the remarks made by Mr. Ronan O’Gara, Coach of Stade Rochelais, relating to arbitration, to the citing commissioners and to the organisation of the championships with the National Technical Director of Arbitration, the President of the LNR and the Secretary General of the FFR seized the Disciplinary and Regulations Commission.

“The situation in question is likely to constitute an infringement of the General Regulations of the LNR and the FFR.

“Consequently, Mr. Ronan O’Gara and Stade Rochelais are summoned before the Disciplinary and Regulations Committee in its meeting on Wednesday November 16th, 2022. Mr. Ronan O’Gara is not suspended pending this hearing.”