Laurent Labit
Racing Metro backline coach Laurent Labit has been handed a 15-week ban for his disparaging comments against the referee in his side’s loss against Stade Francais.
Labit will be banned from all access to grounds, dressing-rooms and entry areas in all Top 14 and European Cup games up until February 15, the French Rugby League Union announced.
Racing Metro were also hit with a 50,000 euros fine for his words which were seen as tainting the reputation and integrity of South African referee Jacob van Heerden.
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Labit had been incensed by several decisions of Van Heerden, who awarded a disputed try to Stade Francais and handed out two yellow cards to Racing players, in the hotly-contested Paris derby match on October 11.
He notably accused the official of “amateurism” and of staging a “holdup.”
Racing’s Irish assistant coach Ronan O’Gara was also handed a two-match suspension for criticising the officials at the end of the match.