Walsh won't appeal three-day suspension

New Zealand referee Steve Walsh has decided not to appeal his three-day suspension from the World Cup, New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller said today.

He said Walsh had the option to appeal but opted not to.

"He was not of a mind to do so .... it was much better to accept the decision," Moller said today after the World Cup organisers announced Walsh had been suspended for inappropriate behaviour related to the England-Samoa match in which England fielded an extra player briefly.

Walsh, who was a sideline official during the match on Sunday in Melbourne, was suspended from 4pm (NZT) today until 11am Monday, a statement from the organisers said.

England were last night fined £10,000 ($28,000) for fielding 16 players during the match, while the team's fitness trainer, David Reddin, was suspended from the touchline for two matches for misconduct in ignoring the instructions of match official Brett Bowden.

Walsh, who was supposed to have been a touch judge in tonight's France-US Pool B match at Wollongong, was suspended for his behaviour during an exchange with a member of the England management team at the end of the game, the statement said.

While the statement did not say so, it is understood Reddin was the member of the England management involved.

Reddin and Walsh are understood to have had an altercation in the tunnel after the game, won by England 35-22.

England had written a letter, complaining about Walsh's behaviour, to the cup organisers.

The NZRU expressed disappointment at the suspension but were cautious about criticising the decision until they had studied the judgement.

Walsh was in charge of the Samoan reserves bench at the Telstra Dome.

Details of the incident are sketchy but it is believed Walsh initially told Reddin he should learn the substitution rule after the Englishman insisted last-minute replacement Dan Luger take the field without the match officials' permission.

Luger, who replaced injured centre Mike Tindall, was on the field for 34 seconds, meaning England had an extra man as Samoa desperately sought a try to secure a bonus point.

Reddin also faced a misconduct charge last night relating to his dispute with Walsh but it was not upheld by Irish judicial officer Brian McLaughlin.

Walsh did not escape censure when he appeared at the International Rugby Board (IRB) hearing in Sydney today with tournament referee's manager Steve Griffiths.

Walsh, like all match officials at the tournament, has been muzzled by the IRB but he expressed his disappointment to Moller.

"He's definitely disappointed and now he just wants to get on with what he does best, he just wants to put it behind him," Moller said.

"We are also disappointed for Steve as an individual," Moller added.

Tension between Walsh and Reddin apparently escalated after the final whistle. Walsh allegedly swore at Reddin and called him a "loser" as they walked through the tunnel.

Walsh reportedly said the comments were made in response to him being shouldered in the back by Reddin.

Asked if there was concern Walsh was suspended while Reddin was exonerated, Moller said he could not comment until he had seen the full judgement.

"There are two sides to every story but we have to see the nature of the decision before making any comment," he said.

The NZRU were anxious to get a copy of the report as soon as possible, Moller said.

The brief statement detailing Walsh's suspension said it was recognised the incident occurred during a particularly difficult situation.

Walsh will be available for selection beyond the pool rounds of the cup.

- NZPA

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