Pountney charged by RFU

Northampton head coach Budge Pountney has today been charged by the Rugby Football Union for bringing the game into disrepute.

Pountney will face an RFU disciplinary hearing after describing referee Steve Lander’s performance “a disgrace” following Northampton’s 21-20 defeat to Saracens last Saturday.

The former Scotland flanker said: “I think Steve Lander’s performance in the first half was a disgrace and I am not worried about saying it.

“I have warned the Referees’ Society that in the last few weeks they have been sending us referees that have not been making decisions.

“I thought his (Lander’s) performance was totally inadequate although his performance in the second half was better.”

The RFU disciplinary officer, Jeff Blackett, received an official complaint and believes Pountney’s “comments were prejudicial to the interests of the game” and slapped him with the disrepute charge.

The case will be heard by an RFU disciplinary panel in London on February 24 and Pountney could face a stiff penalty if the charge is upheld.

Three years ago, Dean Ryan was slapped with a four-week ban and a £2,000 (€2,900) fine when, as coach of Bristol, he described referee Tim Miller as “inadequate”.

The RFU disciplinary panel on that occasion even considered docking Bristol points – something Northampton could ill afford as they sit two points adrift on the bottom of the Zurich Premiership with seven games remaining.

Pountney, the former Scotland flanker, was only confirmed as Northampton’s head coach on Tuesday after taking over from Alan Solomons in a caretaker capacity earlier this season.

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