Connacht head coach Pat Lam has been fined for heavily criticising match officials following a narrow defeat to Cardiff Blues.
The Pro 12 disciplinary committee have handed him an €8K fine, of which €5K has been suspended.
Lam had been furious that match official Leighton Hodges had called hands in a ruck when it seemed as if a Cardiff player had knocked the ball on.
In a statement, the Pro 12's disciplinary officer Jon Davis explained: "PRO12 Rugby welcomes the Disciplinary Committee's decision in this case. While we understand that passions and emotions run high during and after matches, we have to uphold the reputation of the tournament and protect our match officials from public criticism and attacks on their character. If coaches or others wish to provide feedback – positive or negative – on the performance of match officials, we at PRO12 welcome that feedback, but there is a clear mechanism for providing that feedback privately."
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