Aviva Premiership: Wasps centre Elliot Daly handed three-week ban
Wednesday 26 November 2014 21:23, UK
Wasps centre Elliot Daly has been banned for three weeks for verbally abusing referee Ian Tempest in the 31-15 Aviva Premiership defeat at Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge of acts contrary to good sportsmanship at a Rugby Football Union hearing at London Bloomsbury Holiday Inn on Wednesday evening.
Daly was cited for his actions after Wasps' Sandy Park loss, and the former England Under-20 international will now be sidelined until December 16.
Daly will miss Saturday's Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers and the back-to-back Champions Cup games against Castres.
The independent panel comprised Gareth Rees QC and Inigo Churchill.
Apology
Daly, who will also be disciplined internally by the club, said: "I would like to apologise for what I said to the referee, Ian Tempest, during our game against Exeter Chiefs. The language I used was inappropriate and it was wrong of me to criticise the referee.
"Respect for the referee is paramount and I crossed the line. I have already called Mr Tempest to apologise personally for saying something in the heat of the moment, which I regret and wish I could take back.
"I made a mistake, now I need to take the punishment and make sure it never happens again.”
