Toulon prop Martin Castrogiovanni has been ordered to pay €10,000 to charity and serve a four match (suspended) ban for his foul-mouthed rant after his side’s loss to the Leicester Tigers earlier this month.

After losing to his old employers in the third round of the European Rugby Champions Cup, Castro assembled English journalists and launched into an astonishing diatribe at the club and its director of rugby, Richard Cockerill, whom he accused of forcing him out of Leicester.

According to EPCR, his comments “attacked, disparaged, criticised, damaged and/or brought into disrepute Leicester Tigers, the club’s Director of Rugby, Richard Cockerill, EPCR, the European Rugby Champions Cup and the sport of rugby union.”

Castro pleaded guilty but the disciplinary panel, made up of Antony Davies (England, Chairman), Roger Morris (Wales) and Pat Barriscale (Ireland), decided that his actions were utterly indefensible, although they accepted that his accusation of the Tigers being “amateur” was deeply ironic and there did not constitute criticism. They also noted the player’s genuine remorse.

The €10,000 will be paid to a charity in the city of Leicester. His four match ban has been suspended until 30 April 2016 – however, it can be activated before then at any time in the event of an off-field misconduct claim being successfully brought against him.

What do you think of the fine and ban? Is it a fair punishment?

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images