Jersey Reds have accepted the verdict of an independent disciplinary panel which considered comments made by Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon about the match referee after the Boxing Day match against Bedford Blues.
Biljon was given a one game suspension from all match-day coaching duties after the hearing for a breach of the RFU's Rule 5.12 – conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game. The panel’s full judgement, plus the judgement of a similar case involving Chris Boyd, DoR of Northampton Saints, is available via the England Rugby website.
Chairman Mark Morgan said: "While we are disappointed to be losing Harvey's services temporarily, we accept the panel's verdict and fully respect and agree with the RFU in seeking to stop comments that may undermine match officials, without whom there could be no game."
Harvey Biljon said: "I recognise that my comments were not appropriate and that I had made a big mistake for which I apologised to the referee and his colleagues at the RFU during the week after the game. I know it is important to respect match officials and recognise that I am accountable and that there needs to be a sanction in situations like this. I respect the panel's verdict and am now looking to complete the sanction and then to move on."
The Reds' immediate focus will now shift to the resumption of the 2021/22 Championship season and the game against league leaders Doncaster Knights at Stade Santander International tomorrow. Head Coach Rob Webber will take charge of the squad for the match, which will kick off at 3pm.
