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Richards charged with 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union'
By Ian Cameron
Newcastle Falcons DoR Dean Richards has been charged with ‘conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union’ for his post-game rant following his side’s loss to Exeter Chiefs at the weekend.
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Newcastle lost by a single point and Richards tore into the referees following the game, claiming that they showed favouritism to Exeter or didn’t ‘know what they’re doing’.
“The boys in the changing room are saying some of the decisions were questionable. Some are a little more vocal than that.
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“Adam Brocklebank gets penalised in a scrum when their tighthead goes to the floor quite clearly. You just think, what the hell is going on here?”
“There’s obviously a bit of favouritism in some way, shape or form or they don’t know what they’re doing. The boys don’t know what’s happening from one week to the next,” said Richards. “The officiating sometimes is really disappointing.”
A red card for Callum Chick left Richards particularly irate.
“From that, it goes to a yellow card rather than a red card, if he drops his height. There was no looking at X, Y… ‘Was it clear? Well that’s what it is, then that’s the decision, red card, then off he goes’.
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“In critical decisions like that you’ve got to get it right and they don’t. At this moment in time [Chick red card] they make a really quick decision and I think they’ve got it wrong.
“We were just disappointed with officiating on the day. We will look at it very closely. You get penalised for going across on the lineout and it’s never straight. Make them throw in straight and it wouldn’t be a problem, would it.”
He has now been cited and will face a disciplinary panel tomorrow.
An RFU statement reads: “Dean Richards of Newcastle Falcons will appear before a virtual independent disciplinary panel tomorrow evening (Wednesday 23 February 2022).
“Richards is charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game contrary to RFU Rule 5.12, relating to his comments in post match media interviews that undermined the authority and questioned the integrity of the match official following the Newcastle Falcons versus Exeter Chiefs game on 20 February.
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“The case will be heard by a panel comprising Martin Picton (chair) with other panel members to be confirmed.”
Newcastle flanker Chick has also been cited for his red card during the same game, as was Wallaby lock Adam Coleman, who was red carded during London Irish’s victory over Saracens.
“Both Chick and Coleman received red cards for dangerous tackling contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13. Chick’s red card occurred in first half of the Newcastle Falcons game against Exeter Chiefs on 20 February. Coleman received his red card in the second half of the London Irish against Saracens match on 19 February.”
