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French coach Bernard Laporte could face suspension if found guilty of threatening Australian Stu Dickinson, International Rugby Board referees boss Paddy O'Brien said today.
O'Brien, who is in New Zealand, confirmed he had received Dickinson's report on a verbal attack on him by Laporte in a hotel foyer on the eve of last week's second test in Wellington.
The Dublin-based O'Brien said the report was with the International Rugby Board (IRB) and the French union and both would investigate the incident.
"They will deem whether there is enough to perform a formal inquiry into the matter or not," O'Brien said.
"If they do, and they find there is a case to answer, then Bernard will have to answer it under the normal judiciary process."
Laporte faces possible censure for misconduct from his own union and the IRB whose code of conduct states a person "shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other match officials, whether on or off the field of play".
Dickinson had approached Laporte after he had heard the French coach was unhappy with some of his decisions in their first test loss.
He said he had the intention of apologising for some "minimal errors".
However, Laporte allegedly threatened to have a negative influence on his career.
- NZPA
