RONAN O’GARA has been banned for two games by French rugby chiefs.

The Racing Metro coach has been handed the suspension for criticising the officials after his side’s 23-19 Top 14 loss against Stade Francais last month.

Backs’ coach Laurent Labit, meanwhile, is facing a 15-week ban for his disparaging comments against the referee at the end of the dame game.

Labit will be banned from all access to grounds, dressing-rooms and entry areas in all Top 14 and European Cup games up until 15 February, the French Rugby League Union announced.

Racing Metro were also hit with a €50,000 fine for his words which were seen as tainting the reputation and integrity of South African referee Jacob Van Heerden.

Labit had been incensed by several decisions of Van Heerden, who awarded a disputed try to Stade Francais and handed out two yellow cards to Racing players, in the hotly-contested Paris derby match on October 11.

He notably accused the official of “amateurism” and of staging a “hold-up.”

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– © AFP, 2014

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