The BKT United Rugby Championship has issued the following statement:
A misconduct complaint brought against Dragons RFC Head of Performance, Dan Baugh, has resulted in sanctions for both Mr Baugh and the club.
During the Dragons RFC versus Ospreys Round 5 fixture on Saturday, November 18 at Rodney Parade, Baugh engaged with referee Ben Whitehouse (WRU) in a manner that was deemed to breach Championship Rule 4.13 (communicating with match officials) and Disciplinary Rules 3.2 and 3.3 (refer to unsporting conduct).
As a result Baugh has been banned for four games with three suspended across the course of the 2023/24 season. The ban means that Mr Baugh is prohibited from being in the Playing Enclosures (Pitch & Technical) areas but can sit in the stand, enter the dressing room and/or the coaches box during for this weekend’s fixture between Dragons RFC and Hollywood Bets Sharks in Durban.
Should Mr Baugh repeat this offence or any other action deemed as misconduct throughout the rest of the season he will have to serve the remaining three games of the ban. A fine of £2,500 will also be incurred by Mr Baugh in such a situation.
Additionally, Dragons RFC have been sanctioned with a suspended £5,000 fine under Disciplinary Rule 3.3.5 which refers to a club’s duty to exercise reasonable and proper control over their players and staff.
The United Rugby Championship has made it clear to its clubs and their match-day personnel and squads that unsporting or disrespectful behaviour towards match officials will not be tolerated.
The league thanks Dragons RFC for their compliance and understanding during this process and believes that this is a rare and isolated incident that is out of character with the club’s positive reputation.
