Katse was charged with misconduct, acting in an abusive, insulting, intimidating and offensive manner towards referee, Alec Maphosa. The disciplinary hearing was held over three days between May 31 and June 6. The BRU Disciplinary Committee chairperson, Curtis Matobolo said Katse was guilty of misconduct committed during a rugby match played at the UB Stadium on May 28. “The disciplinary committee has looked at all the evidence submitted by all interviewed and looked beyond the charge of foul words as presented on the charge sheet. There was compelling evidence that your conduct was unsporting and unruly with the potential to bring the game into disrepute,” Matobolo said in his ruling.
He said firstly as a coach, Katse ought to have known the composition of the technical bench and permitted actions. Secondly, he said Katse, as an experienced rugby person, should have cooperated with Maphosa when he approached the Rhinos bench in good faith to correct the anomaly. “The World Rugby code of conduct stipulates that all persons shall accept and observe the authority and decisions of match officials and shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a match official. The code which you are expected to strictly promote and adhere to as a senior person in rugby,” he said.
