A Cornish Pirates assistant coach has been given a six-week ban after admitting to striking an opposition player during a Champ Rugby game.
Alan Paver has accepted his suspension after slapping Worcester Warriors replacement Jake Garside following a scuffle late on in Pirates’ 29-7 defeat at Mennaye Field.
Paver conceded that his conduct had been “inappropriate and unacceptable” and had apologised to the match officials and a member of the Worcester staff having been shown a red card by the referee.
Following a disciplinary hearing, the 48-year-old had a 12-week ban cut in half due to his “clear remorse and impressive disciplinary record.”
"I would like to begin by acknowledging and accepting that I struck Worcester number 21, Jake Garside,” Paver said in a statement to the disciplinary panel. “I fully recognise that this was inappropriate and unacceptable conduct for a coach.
“I fully accept that my reaction was inappropriate and a loss of composure. I was then instructed to leave the field, and I complied immediately. Following the match, I took time to calm down before going to the clubhouse, where I apologised to the match officials and a member of the Worcester coaching staff.
“I also attempted to apologise to [Worcester head coach] Matt Everard, but he understandably did not wish to engage at that time. I felt it was best not to approach the players further in that moment. I have been coaching for over 14 years and have maintained ac ompletely clean disciplinary record throughout that time. I fully recognise that my actions do not align with the values of the game or the standards expected of me as a coach.”
Paver will play no further part in the regular season with the Cornish Pirates pushing for a play-off place in the English second tier. Five matches of his ban cover the remainder of the campaign, with the sixth game he will miss to be determined depending on whether they progress.
