Pau head coach banned for 10 weeks after referee incident in Cheetahs match

Piqueronies was cited following the incident, which happened after the conclusion of the French club's European Challenge Cup game against South African side the Cheetahs last Saturday.

He was reported for allegedly physically abusing Grove-White, but found guilty of the less serious offence of using threatening words and actions by an independent disciplinary committee, tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby said.

"The committee did not accept that Piqueronies was simply trying to shake the referee's hand," EPCR said.

Disciplinary committee chair Jeremy Summers added: "Match official abuse has no place in rugby, and this decision reinforces the message that offenders, at whatever level, will be subject to significant sanction."

Piqueronies is suspended from any match-day contact with the Pau playing squad, including access to the technical zone, pitchside, dressing rooms, any team areas and team communications systems.