Ireland star Mack Hansen handed ban after criticising referees
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The Ireland wing will be free to play ahead of the Six Nations. 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.
