Sport

De Villiers to face Sanzar misconduct charge over television comments

July 30, 2010 Edition 1

Ashfak Mohamed

UNDER-fire Springbok coach Peter de Villiers faces more trouble after he was charged with misconduct by Tri-Nations controlling body Sanzar last night for his controversial comments about referees on an Australian TV programme last week.

De Villiers was heavily criticised after the Australian media concluded that he had been suggesting on rugby magazine programme The Rugby Club that referees had been biased against the Boks in their two defeats to the All Blacks in New Zealand. Now he faces a Sanzar hearing next week.

“Having considered the response from South Africa, we have determined that Peter de Villiers’s comments may constitute a breach of the Sanzar code of conduct and warrant further consideration by a Sanzar judicial officer,” said Sanzar chief executive Steve Tew, of New Zealand, last night.

De Villiers said on the programme: “I’ve got my own observations about the last two Tests, and I can’t say it in public. But we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year, and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year.”

Soon afterwards, he issued a statement saying he had not been suggesting that Irish referees Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland were favouring the All Blacks.

Saru president Oregan Hoskins said he could not comment on the matter because it was sub judice.

If found guilty of misconduct, De Villiers could face a penalty similar to the one imposed on Wallaby Matt Giteau, who was fined A$5 000 (R35 000) for criticising referee Steve Walsh after a Super 14 match this year.