Just one month into his new job, Leicester Tigers coach Michael Cheika has been handed a two-week ban.
The former Wallabies coach was found guilty of disrespecting a match-day doctor during his first game of the season against Exeter Chiefs.
An independent disciplinary panel found Cheika's actions to be in violation of Rule 5.12, which covers a broad range of conduct considered prejudicial to the interests of the game.
He has been given a two-match ban, with one game of the punishment suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season.
The exact details of the incident are yet to be released by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
"The panel found that Michael Cheika disrespected the Independent match day doctor in challenging the decision he had made that a player was subject to an IPR (Immediate Permanent Removal)," said Richard Whittam, who chaired the panel.
"Although it was an unusual case because there was a lack of clarity about the decisions made about the head injuries, the decisions of the Independent Match Day Doctor must be respected.
"In this particular case, the appropriate sanction was one of two weeks. The panel mitigated this by suspending one week until the end of the season."
How did Leicester Tigers respond to the panel?
Leicester Tigers, while accepting the decisions of the panel, expressed their dissatisfaction with the results.
"Leicester Tigers welcome the panel's finding that head coach Michael Cheika was not intimidating or abusive towards the match-day doctor following the recent game with Exeter Chiefs.
"However, the club would nevertheless like to express its dissatisfaction with the finding that Michael Cheika was disrespectful.
"Whilst the panel have yet to provide reasons for its decision, the club is particularly disappointed with the disrespectful finding given that multiple witnesses gave evidence at the disciplinary hearing supporting Michael’s version of events.
"The club is also disappointed that despite its request not to do so, the RFU issued a statement announcing the panel’s decision despite the club having not yet been provided with the written judgement and knowing the exact reasons for the decision."
The club has also added that they will be seeking clarification from the RFU and will reserve their right to appeal the decision.
