Dan Baugh: Dragons head of performance receives match ban for referee altercation
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
| URC: Sharks v Dragons |
|---|
| Venue: Kings Park Stadium, Durban Date: Saturday, 25 November Kick off: 17:05 GMT |
| Coverage: Live on S4C and via iPlayer. Match report and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on Scrum V, Sunday, BBC Two Wales and online, Sunday, 26 November from 18:00 GMT and later on demand. |
Dragons head of performance Dan Baugh has received a match ban following his altercation with referee Ben Whitehouse.
A misconduct complaint was brought against Baugh after their United Rugby Championship (URC) victory over Ospreys at Rodney Parade last Saturday.
Baugh put his hands on Whitehouse resulting in a four-match ban, although three of those are suspended.
Dragons have also been sanctioned with a suspended £5,000 fine.
Any further misconduct during the season could trigger Baugh's suspended three-match ban, cost him a fine of £2,500, plus the £5,000 fine for the Welsh region.
Whitehouse warned Baugh about the manner in which he had spoken to the official and threatened to banish him from the field.
Baugh protested, stating he could talk to his players and put his right hand on Whitehouse's right upper arm.
Whitehouse responded by saying "don't touch me" and indicated Baugh would not be allowed on the field again in that game.
Baugh's ban from the URC means he is prohibited from being in the playing enclosures - which includes the pitch and technical areas - but he can sit in the stand, enter the dressing room and/or the coaches box during Saturday's fixture between Dragons and Sharks in Durban.
Dragons had already announced that they would take action internally against Baugh.
"The behaviour of my staff and players represents me," Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan had said before the URC decision was made.
"Dan is well aware you can't touch an official.
"Dan has phoned Ben on Monday and apologised. They go back a long way. Dan was Ben's strength and conditioning coach when he worked for periods at the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union).
"Dan is aware you can't do what he has done and we are dealing with it in-house. There is a consequence agreed by Dan and us because you can't do that. It is clear as day my end.
"What me and Dan have spoken about we will keep between ourselves."
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