- Michael Cheika has managed Leicester for two games and already been banned
- He has been punished for disrespecting a doctor in his first match in charge
- Leicester Tigers have slammed the RFU’s decision to ban Cheika
Michael Cheika threatened an independent matchday doctor with legal action and was ‘overly aggressive’ and ‘dismissive’ in the interaction that has landed the new Leicester head coach in hot water with the RFU, according to the governing body.
Cheika, who has only been in charge of the Tigers for two games after joining the Gallagher Premiership club this summer, was this week banned for two matches with one suspended after the clash with the medic at Sandy Park, Exeter.
The Australian confronted the doctor about the immediate player removal process of his captain Ollie Chessum in the narrow win over the Chiefs.
After the RFU confirmed his sanction, Leicester made clear their displeasure at the process saying the club would ‘like to express its dissatisfaction with the finding that Cheika was disrespectful.’
But on Thursday night, the RFU legal papers of the Cheika case said the experienced coach was ‘irritated’ and ‘overly aggressive, with intense eye contact and crossed arms. He was dismissive and harsh speaking.’
Michael Cheika has been hit with a two-game ban for disrespecting a matchday doctor
The independent doctor confirmed to Cheika that Leicester and England lock Chessum should not have returned to play. The Tigers coach discussed that decision with the medic.
The RFU said: ‘At one stage the independent matchday doctor said to Mr Cheika he was being rude and aggressive and was standing too close to him and that his behaviour was not acceptable. Mr Cheika’s response was to say he was taller than the independent matchday doctor and asked whether he should stand back.
‘In the independent matchday doctor’s opinion, Mr Cheika was being rather rude and confrontational and overly aggressive in his body language and voice.’
The RFU document also revealed Cheika called the doctor ‘passive aggressive’ and someone ‘following process’ and continued with comments such as, ‘You wait, I’ll instruct my legal team to overturn your decision.’ He also said to the doctor: ‘You don’t have authority.’
Cheika contests the version of events given by the RFU. The Exeter match was Cheika’s first competitive game in charge of Leicester.
He has the right to appeal the RFU ban within 14 days and may well do so given he does not agree with the panel’s version of events.
He has been punished for his behaviour during his first game in charge of Leicester Tigers, but the club voiced their disappointment with the decision
But it is unlikely he will be in charge of the team at Newcastle on Saturday.
Cheika won’t be in attendance at Leicester’s weekly press conference on Friday.
