Coach Rowley banned for four matches (From Leigh Journal)

Coach Rowley banned for four matches

3:37pm Wednesday 30th September 2009 in

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LEIGH Centurions coach Paul Rowley has been banned from the pitch, tunnel, dug-out and dressing room areas for his side’s next four matches after being found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and criticising a match official.

Rowley was also fined £250 for improper conduct by a RFL Tribunal and had another fine of £250 for publicly criticising a match official suspended until the end of next season.

The suspension and fine follow incidents at the end of Leigh’s Co-operative Championship fixture at Gateshead Thunder on August 23 when Rowley approached referee Craig Halloran in an aggressive manner after his side’s 30-24 defeat.

Rowley denied using foul and abusive language towards the referee but admitted criticising the official in his comments in the post-match press conference.

Rowley’s claims that he had been manhandled by a matchday steward after following the referee into the tunnel area were dismissed by the Tribunal, which ruled that the steward had taken appropriate action.

The tribunal also instructed Rowley that during his four-match suspension he is not to approach any official in an aggressive way and warned him over his future actions in relation to match officials.