Aviva Premiership

Foul-mouthed Cockerill handed nine-match ban

ESPN Staff

Leicester Tigers' director of rugby Richard Cockerill has been suspended for nine matches following an altercation with fourth official Stuart Terheege during last season's Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham.

Cockerill was cited in the wake of his side's 33-17 victory over Northampton in May. He berated officials when Northampton lock Courtney Lawes escaped a yellow card for what he thought was a late tackle on Leicester fly-half Toby Flood. Lawes was penalised but not shown any card while Flood was later forced out of the game with concussion.

Cockerill left his seat in the stands and remonstrated with Terheege at the side of the pitch, an act which Northampton assistant coach Dorian West told ESPN was an attempt to "intimidate" the match officials.

The RFU found Cockerill guilty of "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game" following a lengthy disciplinary hearing on Monday. He pleaded not guilty but the panel found that Cockerill used words that were "obscene, inappropriate and unprofessional and behaviour that was inappropriate and unprofessional".

Cockerill, who has the right to appeal, will be suspended from involvement in match day coaching activities, before during and after matches, from September 7 to November 2.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.