Ronan O'Gara has been slapped with the second touchline ban of his coaching career.
The former Munster and Ireland star has been issued with a six-week suspension following an incident in the Top 14 clash between Lyon and La Rochelle 12 days ago.
A Ligue Nationale de Rugby disciplinary hearing found that O'Gara, the La Rochelle head coach, disrespected the authority of a match official in the encounter that was narrowly won by his side.
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O’Gara found himself sidelined for a fortnight last season, taking in the two-legged Champions Cup round of 16 tie with Bordeaux, but La Rochelle went on to win the tournament for the first time.
On that occasion the ban was for contesting the decision of the match officials during Top 14 win over Racing 92, his former club.
This time around, O'Gara was initially handed an eight-week suspension but had two weeks struck off for admission of guilt.
The official LNR statement read: “Mr Ronan O’Gara has been found responsible of ‘action against a match official’ and more particularly of ‘disrespecting the authority of a match official’.
“It is on the higher degree of the scale of gravity, meaning a suspension of six weeks.
“After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (his disciplinary record), the penalty was increased by two weeks.
“After taking into account the mitigating circumstances (acknowledgment of guilt, conduct before and during the hearing), the sanction was reduced by two weeks.
“Mr. Ronan O’Gara is suspended for six weeks. Consequently, Mr. Ronan O’Gara’s suspension will end on October 31, 2022.”
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