Overview
- An independent Disciplinary Committee cut Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada’s automatic two-match suspension to one match, issued a formal warning, and required a public apology after a full hearing.
- Quesada criticised referee Luc Ramos on live television after Italy’s 47-17 loss to New Zealand on July 11, saying the refereeing made the scoreline worse and calling Ramos “super poor.”
- The reduced suspension took effect immediately so Quesada missed Italy’s Nations Championship match in Perth on July 18.
- The sanction was applied under the new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process created after the Shape of the Game forum to curb public comments that feed online abuse of referees, and the Italian Rugby Federation has signalled it will pursue an appeal.
- The case also follows an on-field incident in Wellington where Italy lock Niccolò Cannone had a sin-bin upgraded to a red card and was later suspended for four matches, underlining how match events and public remarks can trigger separate disciplinary processes.