OYONNAX FULLBACK SILVERE Tian has been handed a 15-month ban by the LNR for his abusive and threatening behaviour towards referee Romain Poite in a Top 14 game earlier this month.
Tian has been suspended from rugby until 30 June 2017.
Given that Tian is already 35 and that his Oyonnax contract ends in June 2017, the lengthy ban may signal the end of his playing career.
The Ivory Coast international was red-carded by Poite during Oyonnax’s 27-20 defeat to Grenoble on 2 April.
Initially, Poite had shown Tian a yellow card for a breakdown infringement, but the Oyonnax player vehemently questioned the decision with abusive language.
When Poite then produced his red card, Tian shouted further abuse at the referee and threatened to harm him after the game, while being pushed away by a teammate.
Tian later attempted to accost Poite as the match official left the pitch following the final whistle, with the Oyonnax player again being restrained.
An LNR statement today confirmed Tian’s ban for “threatening actions or words against a match official.”
The LNR has also fined Oyonnax €10,000 for the behaviour of their player.
Meanwhile, the LNR confirmed that Grenoble coach Bernard Jackman has been cleared of any wrongdoing after he was reported by the fourth and fifth match officials for “contesting the decisions of match officials” during Grenoble’s clash with La Rochelle on 26 March.
The disciplinary committee decided that no action was necessary.
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He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)