Twenty week suspension for McNab


Stobswell scrum half Justin McNab was suspended this week for 20 weeks, up to and including 24th February 2007, for verbally abusing the referee during the Montrose v Stobswell match on 16th September 2007.

Mr McNab was originally suspended for 36 weeks at an earlier meeting of the Discipline Panel, which was subsequently appealed. The Appeal Committee ordered that the case be reconsidered by the Discipline Panel and this hearing took place on Tuesday 5th December 2006.



The Panel, chaired by Sheriff Bill Dunlop, found that the referee’s reasons for his decision to red card the player were correct. The Panel were further satisfied that the player’s actions had amounted to a breach of IRB Laws 6.A.5 and 10.4(k).



In looking at the question of suitable sanction, the Panel considered that a suspension from all rugby was appropriate, as there were no factors present to suggest that the Panel should not impose a suspension.



The Panel considered the evidence before them, including the position of the referee and the player, and analysed the severity of the player’s actions. It concluded that the player had criticised the referee, accused him of bias, used foul and abusive language in an aggressive manner and consequently forced the referee to retreat. These aggressive actions were sustained for a considerable period of time.



The offence was, therefore, to be regarded as at the top end of the range of suspensions for an offence of this nature (as per the IRB list of prescribed sanctions).



The Panel then had to consider the off-field factors and in doing so noted the absence of aggravating factors and the existence of mitigating factors, including the player’s apology, partial acceptance of wrong doing and otherwise good record and character. Consequently, the Panel considered that a suspension of 20 weeks was appropriate.



Mr McNab has the right of appeal against the decision of the Panel.


IRB Law 6.A.5 states: All players must respect the authority of the referee. They must not dispute the referee’s decisions. They must stop playing at once when the referee blows the whistle except at a kick off.



IRB Law 10.4(k) states: A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure.

This article was posted on 8-Dec-2006, 15:23 by Hugh Barrow.