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Leicester rugby boss says ban for disrespecting match doctor 'hurts my reputation'

Michael Cheika was handed a two-match ban for disrespecting an independent match-day doctor after a disagreement during Leicester's win over Exeter on September 21 - leaving him to question his position in the Gallagher Premiership

[Michael Cheika, the Leicester Tigers head coach]

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Michael Cheika, the Leicester Tigers head coach(Image: Getty Images)

Leicester boss Michael Cheika insists the disciplinary process that resulted in a two-match ban for disrespecting an independent match-day doctor (IMDD) left him questioning whether he was welcome in the Gallagher Premiership.

Cheika was banned for the Tigers 42-10 rout of Newcastle on Saturday and watched the game remotely in Paris accompanied by his wife before her return to their native Australia. With one match of the ban suspended, he will be back in charge for this weekends clash with Northampton.

But Cheika has been left bruised by the process that was triggered by a disagreement with the IMDD over the decision to permanently remove Ollie Chessum during Leicesters victory over Exeter on September 21.

I would be lying if I didnt say I was really disappointed, said Cheika, who appeared before the disciplinary panel last Tuesday. Initially I didnt want to participate at all in the judicial process because I didnt want to hear the outcome because I knew what the outcome was going to be.

I felt the decision wasnt right and it hurts my reputation. I was disappointed and I almost felt like, and its like Im spitting the dummy here, but I felt they dont really want me to be in the league here because what happened is a really minor-type thing.

Once you participate in the process then you have to abide by the rules of the game, I suppose, and thats how it worked out.

I want to stand up for myself but I dont want to disrespect the process in any way, shape or form. Mainly because I dont want to risk getting in trouble again. Thats important not for me, I dont care but I dont want to give the team any grief. Thats the last thing we need.

The written judgement for the hearing described Cheikas behaviour when talking to the IMDD as overly aggressive with intense eye contact.

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