France international Sebastien Chabal has been suspended by his club Racing-Metro for recent comments made about the quality of French refereeing.
Ahead of the release of his autobiography ‘Ma petite etoile’ today, Chabal was quoted as saying “the Top 14 referees are rubbish” in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche.
He also called into question the impartiality of refereeing with regards to Castres and Biarritz, the clubs of current president of the League Pierre-Yves Révol, and his predecessor Serge Blanco.
Chabal, who is the subject of a disciplinary procedure regarding his comments, has been suspended until the 11 May by Racing.
He will therefore miss Racing’s final league game, the Parisian derby against Stade Français, but should be available for the Top 14 play-offs.
“The club condemns the comments of Sebastien Chabal in the Journal du Dimanche of the 24 April 2011, even if it has to be read in context,” said the club today in an official statement.
“Racing Metro, with the aim of respecting the officials and referees, and after a meeting with the player, has decided to suspend him temporarily until the 11 May or until the disciplinary committee of the LNR has made a decision.”
Chabal featured in France’s first four matches in the RBS 6 Nations before being dropped for the final game against Wales.
And his World Cup chances could now be in danger with the end of his suspension coinciding with Marc Lièvremont’s announcement of the French squad for New Zealand.
