Venter 'sorry' after suspended ban
Brendan Venter says sorry to referee David Rose after getting suspended four-week touchline ban
Also In The News
|
The FTSE 100 has continued its positive start to the week, ending the day up 0. |  |
Wednesday, 20, Jan 2010 06:03
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Saracens head coach Brendan Venter has apologised to match referee David Rose over comments that prompted the RFU to hand him a suspended four-week touchline ban.
Venter was punished by the sport's governing body after suggesting Rose had been "influenced" during the half-time break of his side's Guinness Premiership defeat to Leicester Tigers at Vicarage Road on January 2nd.
And despite continuing to plead innocence over the dispute, Venter said he "apologised unreservedly" for any offence caused.
"I firmly believe that I did not question, or intend to question, David's integrity and any criticism which has been implied was not meant," the South African coach explained.
"When I said that I believed he had been influenced at half time I did not intend that to mean that he was improperly influenced.
"As I said in the interview I have no doubt that all referees operating in the Guinness Premiership, including David, are honest and operate without intentionally favouring one side over another.
"I hope that we can put this matter behind us and I look forward to welcoming David Rose back to Vicarage Road in the near future."
Saracens' defeat to the Tigers earlier this month was the London club's second straight and led to them being knocked them off top spot by Leicester after their 34-8 victory over Wasps last week.