Publications
Partners
Cape Town - A former New Zealand referee feels Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold deserved more severe punishment after approaching a television match official (TMO) during a match.
A SANZAAR judicial hearing earlier this week found Gold guilty of misconduct and fined him close to R142 000.
Gold admitted the misconduct charge, which occurred during the Sharks’ home clash against the Crusaders on March 26.
Gold had approached TMO Johan Greeff on two separate occasions (65th and 71st minutes) and had used crude and insulting language towards the official.
Bob Francis, a former top New Zealand referee who later joined the selection panel for several World Cups, has questioned whether SANZAAR should have consulted World Rugby following revelations Gary Gold abused the TMO.
Although Gold has since apologised to Greeff, Francis said that wasn't good enough.
In an interview with the Stuff.co.nz website, he asked why the matter wasn't referred to the game's governing body.
"World Rugby have intervened in some extreme cases lately and I think this is a question that probably should have been asked of them," Francis said. "Should they have stepped in over the top of SANZAAR in a case like this?
"It's an absolute disgrace and deserves a severe response from SANZAAR."
