Catalans Dragons owner Bernard Guasch has been suspended from attending any matches involving his club for four weeks after breaching the RFL’s Operational Rules.
Guasch was involved in an incident with referee Chris Kendall in the tunnel following the home defeat against Huddersfield Giants on June 3. The incident on June 3 involved Guasch using offensive language and questioning the integrity of a match official, and making physical contact.
Guasch has also been fined £10,000, of which £2,500 was suspended, for his comments about the match officials after the 2021 Betfred Super League Grand Final last autumn. Speaking after the 12-10 loss to St Helens at Old Trafford last October, Guasch said he would never again allow his side to play a final under English referees after being frustrated by the officiating at Old Trafford.
He said he was particularly disappointed by the lack of action over an early punch by Saints forward Sione Mata’utia on James Maloney. Guasch, whose side won the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2018, called for there to be neutral referees in future finals.
That £2,500 suspended fine has been added to the £10,000 fine imposed for this offence, £5,000 of which has been suspended until the end of the 2023 season and will be activated if he is found guilty of any further offence involving a match official or breach of the RFL’s Respect Policy.
The suspension began with Catalans’ game at Castleford on June 27, so will expire in the week following their home game against Warrington Wolves on July 10.
The agreed decision stresses: “This type of behaviour has no place in the sport of Rugby League. Pursuant to the RFL’s Respect Policy, Rugby League prides itself on being a family game which is inclusive, uncompromising and passionate, and the principles of ‘Respect’ set out the obligations on all participants to maintain the game’s high standards.
“Mr Guasch’s actions clearly fall well below acceptable standards in respect of adherence with the Respect Policy. Furthermore, this is Mr Guasch’s second incident of matters involving Match Officials in 12 months.”
Catalans say Guasch has accepted responsibility in the matter, and has “put in place a plan that will ensure the Match Officials are safe and not approached in such a manner by anyone, especially Directors whilst at the Catalans Dragons stadium in future.”
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