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Ireland wing Mack Hansen has been handed a three-week ban after criticising the officiating of Connacht’s defeat to Leinster in December.
Hansen suggested after his side’s narrow loss at the Aviva Stadium that it had felt like the visitors were playing against “16 men”.
“We never get any calls, ever,” the Connacht man added, suggesting that he felt that it had been a theme. “I’ve been feeling this for years now.”
The 26-year-old has had three matches of a six-game ban suspended. He will miss the Challenge Cup games against Lyon and Cardiff, plus the United Rugby Championship encounter with Glasgow, but be back available for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England in Dublin on 1 February.
Hansen was charged with misconduct in breach of nine clauses of the URC’s disciplinary guide, including law 3.3.13 which states foul play can include statements that are “unsporting and/or insulting”.
In addition, Connacht have received a suspended €10,000 (£8,400) fine, while Hansen must apologise to referee Chris Busby and undertake “an appropriate course related to match officiating” as part of his sanction.
“Upon reflection, my comments to the media were ill-advised, and fell far short of the standards I expect of myself, and what the sport expects of its players,” Hansen said in a statement.
“I want to offer an apology to the match officials for any distress my comments may have caused. Our games are built on mutual respect and I didn’t show that after the game.
“I also want to apologise to the URC, and I fully accept the findings of the independent disciplinary panel.
“I love Connacht, and I love rugby. Moving forward, I will channel all my energy and passion into representing my province and country to the absolute best of my ability – both on and off the field.”
Capped 25 times by Ireland, Hansen started all four of their Autumn Nations Series fixtures. He will be hoping to push his case for British and Irish Lions selection during the Six Nations, where Ireland will be overseen by Simon Easterby in the absence of Lions boss Andy Farrell.
