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Leicester Tigers criticise RFU's disciplinary procedure

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Leicester Tigers have slammed the Rugby Union over their handling of Richard Cockerill's disciplinary hearing.

The club said they were "very disappointed" with the nine-game match-day coaching ban handed down to their director of rugby.

And, in a stinging criticism of the methods used during the case, Tigers claim the RFU's conduct has "called into question the new disciplinary structure" at the game's governing body.

Cockerill was suspended on Monday night at the end of a four-hour hearing in Coventry for an exchange with fourth official Stuart Terheege during the Aviva Premiership final at the end of May.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges but received a lengthy ban and was also ordered to pay £500 in costs.

In a short statement, Tigers said it would "fully support" Cockerill, who will not be allowed any contact with his team before, during or after any of the opening nine games of the season.

That includes seven Aviva Premiership matches and two in Europe.

Tigers' statement read: "Following the verdict of the Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing, Leicester Tigers are extremely disappointed that Richard Cockerill has been found guilty of any offence relating to the Aviva Premiership final on May 25.

"The club will, therefore, await the full written judgement so it can determine whether to appeal the disciplinary panel's decision or not.

"Leicester Tigers are, however, disappointed with the Rugby Football Union's conduct in this matter.

"There are elements of the way in which they have conducted this case which, in our opinion, calls into question the new disciplinary structure and we will be taking this up with the RFU at the earliest opportunity.

"The club will not make any further comment about this until there has been an opportunity to discuss it with the Union and it is appropriate that this is dealt with privately.

"Richard Cockerill has been a central part of Leicester Tigers' continued success over many years and the club will fully support him and the rest of the coaching team for the 2013-14 season."

While the accusations within Leicester's statement creates more questions than answers, the club cannot have been happy with the amount of time it took the RFU to either announce the charges against Cockerill or finally hold the session.

They took nine days to announce details of a case, which the court finally heard a full 37 days after the final.

It is unlikely this will be the end of the matter.

Leicester Tigers criticise RFU's disciplinary procedure


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