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Ronan O'Gara handed season ending ban in France
By Ian Cameron
La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara has been handed a five-week suspension by the French Rugby Federation’s (FFR) appeals committee for “actions against a match official”.
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The sanction, confirmed on Friday, overturns a more lenient ruling from the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) disciplinary panel, which had initially issued only a reprimand and fine following the Top 14 Round 15 match away to Toulon on January 28, a game La Rochelle lost 45–26.
The FFR’s appeals body opted for a stricter punishment, citing O’Gara’s “actions against a match official” and “threatening act(s) or words towards a match official”. The decision means the former Ireland international will be banned from pitchside duties for the remainder of the regular season—and any potential play-off involvement.
O’Gara has a history of disciplinary run-ins since moving into coaching and now is barred from matchday contact and other in-person coaching roles during this period.
Currently seventh in the Top 14 table, La Rochelle face Vannes on Saturday in Round 23.
The club has the right to challenge the suspension before the administrative court of Versailles, pending a mandatory submission to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee’s Conference of Conciliators.
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What is it with Irish first fives and match officials eh??
Funny, O ‘Gara is also Irish. Why do they feel the need to shout and curse the match officials?
If you are a relative nobody, you can say stuff like that and people will shrug it off or get irritated. But as a prominent figure, you need to control yourself. Yes Rassie did that but it was a controlled situation. WR didn't seem to like it despite the fact that they should have seen to it themselves. He received a year ban. Funny how O ‘Gara only gets five weeks. Well whatever. He is digging himself a deep grace.
Fire the embarrassing fool.
If this was Rassie there would 50 sanctimonious comments about how “it’s against the spirit of the game” and “how dare” he etc etc.
Might be cause ROG isn’t an international coach. I think Rassie getting told off by the headmaster in the past is just a reflection of his extreme passion for the game.
Massive difference between the respective penalities. Fine rounded up to a five week suspension? Major blow to La Rochelle who are finally coming into form and pushing for the knock outs.
He’s a character ain’t he !!