OYONNAX FULLBACK SILVERE Tian has been handed a 15-month ban by the LNR for his abusive and threatening behaviour towards referee Romain Poite in a Top 14 game earlier this month.
Tian has been suspended from rugby until 30 June 2017.
Given that Tian is already 35 and that his Oyonnax contract ends in June 2017, the lengthy ban may signal the end of his playing career.
The Ivory Coast international was red-carded by Poite during Oyonnax’s 27-20 defeat to Grenoble on 2 April.
Initially, Poite had shown Tian a yellow card for a breakdown infringement, but the Oyonnax player vehemently questioned the decision with abusive language.
When Poite then produced his red card, Tian shouted further abuse at the referee and threatened to harm him after the game, while being pushed away by a teammate.
Tian later attempted to accost Poite as the match official left the pitch following the final whistle, with the Oyonnax player again being restrained.
An LNR statement today confirmed Tian’s ban for “threatening actions or words against a match official.”
The LNR has also fined Oyonnax €10,000 for the behaviour of their player.
Meanwhile, the LNR confirmed that Grenoble coach Bernard Jackman has been cleared of any wrongdoing after he was reported by the fourth and fifth match officials for “contesting the decisions of match officials” during Grenoble’s clash with La Rochelle on 26 March.
The disciplinary committee decided that no action was necessary.
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