Leicester boss Michael Cheika insists the disciplinary process that resulted in a two-match ban for disrespecting an independent match-day doctor (IMDD) left him questioning whether he was welcome in the Gallagher Premiership.
Cheika was banned for the Tigers’ 42-10 rout of Newcastle on Saturday and watched the game remotely in Paris accompanied by his wife before her return to their native Australia.
With one match of the ban suspended, he will be back in charge for this weekend’s clash with Northampton.
But Cheika has been left bruised by the process that was triggered by a disagreement with the IMDD over the decision to permanently remove Ollie Chessum during Leicester’s victory over Exeter on September 21.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say I was really disappointed,” said Cheika, who appeared before the disciplinary panel last Tuesday.
“Initially I didn’t want to participate at all in the judicial process because I didn’t want to hear the outcome because I knew what the outcome was going to be.
“I felt the decision wasn’t right and it hurts my reputation. I was disappointed and I almost felt like, and it’s like I’m spitting the dummy here, but I felt they don’t really want me to be in the league here because what happened is a really minor-type thing.
“Once you participate in the process then you have to abide by the rules of the game, I suppose, and that’s how it worked out.
“I want to stand up for myself but I don’t want to disrespect the process in any way, shape or form. Mainly because I don’t want to risk getting in trouble again.
“That’s important – not for me, I don’t care – but I don’t want to give the team any grief. That’s the last thing we need.”
The written judgement for the hearing described Cheika’s behaviour when talking to the IMDD as “overly aggressive with intense eye contact”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here