RASSIE BANNED

South African punished for ‘multiple attacks on the integrity of officials’

SoUtH AFRICA’s World Cup-winning director of rugby, Rassie erasmus, was last night hit with lengthy bans after the human toll of his rant at officials during the British & Irish Lions series was laid bare.

Almost four months after his incendiary, hour-long video caused uproar, erasmus was found guilty on six charges.

He will not be on duty at twickenham for the match with england on saturday after being suspended from all rugby duties for two months and from all match-day duties until september 30 next year.

In addition, he has been ordered to apologise to the relevant match officials.

Within minutes of the independent disciplinary panel’s full judgment being released by World Rugby, the south African Rugby Union — which was handed a £20,000 fine — confirmed that there would be appeals against the verdicts.

However, erasmus (right), who prowled the Murrayfield touchline in his role as ‘water boy’ during last saturday’s 30-15 win over scotland, is banned with immediate effect — pending the outcome of the appeal process.

the 80-page judgment from the panel, which was chaired by Christopher Quinlan QC, delivered damning conclusions about the outburst from a man who was previously acclaimed within his sport.

It read: ‘this was an especially serious and egregious example of offending of this kind.

‘It involved premeditated, multiple, abusive and insulting comments and attacks on the officials’ integrity.’

noting a lack of remorse from erasmus, it added: ‘He appears not to appreciate the corrosive effect his behaviour has on the game.’

erasmus was found guilty of threatening nic Berry — who had refereed the first test between the springboks and the Lions, which the tourists won — by publishing criticism of his performance with the intention that it would ‘go viral’ online.

When the Australian official did not agree to a meeting, the video appeared on social media and the disciplinary panel rejected the south African defence that it was not intended to appear in the public domain.

Perhaps the most telling section of the judgment was Berry’s statement about the impact of the episode, which read: ‘the public attack on my integrity and character is not something that should be tolerated in any workplace. due to the actions of Mr erasmus, my family and I have endured a significant amount of distress.

‘I feel that Mr erasmus engaged in a character assassination of me on social media. I have spent many years trying to build my reputation as an international referee and in the course of his video, which was posted online, Mr erasmus has caused it immeasurable damage.

‘I feel that, regardless of any sanctions imposed, my reputation as a referee and person will forever be tarnished.

‘Mr erasmus’ video brought into question my professionalism and my integrity, and there was an inference that I was in some way cheating, which is obviously completely untrue.

‘His actions are against everything our game stands for.’