RFU hands down six week ban for Kafer

By Jason Harris (filed 10/3/04)
March 10 2004

Saracens head coach Rod Kafer has been given a six week ban and is required to £250 in costs by the Rugby Football Union after being found guilty of verbally abusing referee Steve Leyshon and fourth official Wayne Barnes after Sarries' 22-18 home defeat to Northampton on 15 February.

Kafer pleaded "not guilty" but the Disciplinary panel of former England prop Jeff Probyn, Peter Budge and Chairman Jeff Blackett at a London Hotel.

Under the terms of the ban, Kafer will be unable to gain access to the touchline, playing enclosure tunnel and changing rooms. With the Six Nations and European touraments heading towards the final rounds, Kafer will miss only three of Saracens' five remaining Zurich Premiership games; the return match against Northampton on 27 March, the home clash against Gloucester on 3 April and the trip to Leicester on 16 April.

Summing up, Jeff Blackett said that "Verbal abuse of officials even in private must be prejudicial to the interests of the Union and the game."

But he added that as Kafer's comments made to the media after the game were more diplomatic, that he had managed to avoid the maximum touchline ban:

"The recommended punishment is eight weeks" added Blackett "but we have given Rod Kafer credit for being a model of discretion in public."

Kafer has 14 days to lodge an appeal.

Meanwhile, Sarries' points deduction saga rolls onwards. The Men in Black were deducted two Zurich Premiership Match Points earlier in the season after being charged with fielding James Parkes in the opening day win at Newcastle without the hooker being registered.

A appeal hearing took place at the same venue on Tuesday night and the panel concerned will deliver its final verdict within the next week.

Sarries are currently in 10th place in the league table, seven points adrift of the final Zurich Wildcard Playoff place with just those five games to play.