Suspended Newcastle Falcons consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond says match officials should face consequences for their mistakes.
The 56-year-old was given a six-week ban for angrily confronting officials after a controversial late try gave Exeter Chiefs a 17-15 Premiership win at Sandy Park on 29 March.
Diamond admitted he made a “huge mistake”, but criticised rugby’s “flawed” disciplinary process and said more experienced officials should be appointed – and held accountable.
“There’s a problem with the disciplinary system, not a problem with the referees. There’s only people like me prepared to say things about it, but it’s not the first time these things have happened.
“I’ve got a six-week ban for saying an inappropriate comment – which I’ve apologised for – to a professional referee in complete privacy.
“If the ref can’t pick it up, because he can’t see everything and the assistant can’t see everything, surely for goodness sake the TMO should be seeing these things?
“The system is flawed. Maybe they need some more investment and more experienced people doing these jobs.
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“There’s no accountability,” Diamond added. “We understand we have to have regulation and understand I can’t say what I said, but there’s got to be some accountability otherwise people keep making mistakes.”
Newcastle are currently last on the 10-team Premiership log, with 11 defeats from 13 matches.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
