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Rugby Union

Ryan hit with 13-week ban

02/03/2007

Gloucester rugby head coach Dean Ryan has been handed a 13-week touchline ban after being found guilty of verbally abusing a referee last month.

Ryan ranted at official Rob Debney at the end of the Guinness Premiership match between Gloucester and Saracens on February 18th after the St Albans club were awarded a controversial line-out in injury time, from which they scored the winning try.

The 24-22 victory for Saracens ended on a sour note when Ryan used "threatening and verbally abusive language" towards Debney after the final whistle.

And in his post-match interview, Ryan was unrepentant in his view that the official was in the wrong.

"They knocked on, we kicked the ball into touch and the referee marched us back for a line-out to them just outside our own 22," he commented.

"He said he called 'advantage over' but I don't believe it. It's another to add to the mysteries of refereeing.

"This is one of the most pivotal games of our season and it has been decided by a referee's decision."

Ryan's suspension runs until May 31st, meaning he is excluded from the pitch, the touchline, the technical area and the dressing room on matchdays until the end of the season.

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