Craig Chalmers must work to build bridges with the SRU

IT HAS come as a relief to Craig Chalmers and Melrose to learn that he has been cleared of verbal abuse of a match official by a Scottish Rugby Union disciplinary panel, but the matter is not necessarily at an end. While it is common in a court of law for a person to be found innocent then told they are leaving the building "without a stain on their character", Chalmers was effectively told the opposite.

Having been warned about his future conduct, the Melrose coach knows that any subsequent breaches of the SRU's disciplinary code could be dealt with severely. If he carried out his club duties simply as a volunteer and amateur, any possible ban would not necessarily worry Chalmers too much, but he has serious ambitions as a coach and knows that if he falls out too badly with the SRU his career advancement in this country could be at an end.

Already the Scotland Under-20s coach, the 41-year-old hopes to be considered for more senior office in due time. Capped 60 times by Scotland, he has the kind of hardened competitiveness which could help him come into contention for the job of national coach – provided he avoids any further disciplinary charges.

If Chalmers wants any proof that previous behaviour were taken into action, he need look no further than the case of Melrose player Jamie Murray. The centre was charged with the same offence as his coach, but found guilty.

His six-week sentence, however, was commuted to three because he accepted the charge and apologised. Having been suspended by his club for their match against Watsonians last month, Murray only has a ban of two weeks to serve, the final day of which will be Sunday 23 May.

After finding there had been a hostile atmosphere towards officials in the club house on the afternoon of the Melrose Sevens, the panel, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, decided that Chalmers should be reminded of his responsibilities. Its verdict was announced in an SRU release in the following terms.

"The panel determined it was unjust to uphold a charge of alleged misconduct by Craig Chalmers. The panel heard from nine witnesses whose evidence did not paint a consistent picture of the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, though the panel did determine there was an atmosphere of unpleasantness towards the match officials within the Melrose club's Eildon Suite.

"The panel warned Craig Chalmers as to his future conduct and asked to ensure that, as a senior member of the Borders rugby community, he takes the warning seriously and seeks to ensure good relations exist toward match officials and the Border Rugby Referees' Society.

"The panel found Jamie Murray guilty of misconduct, namely to have verbally abused a match official at a post-match function. From the following day (Sunday 11 April) Jamie Murray accepted the charge and apologised for his unacceptable behaviour. Apologies were given to the match official involved, Melrose RFC and Scottish Rugby.

"The player having accepted his behaviour constituted an act of misconduct, the panel determined the offence as one which merited a six-weeks' suspension. However, in light of the player's apology, hitherto unblemished discipline record and conduct at last night's hearing, the panel decided that he should serve three weeks' suspension.

"The panel was told that the Melrose club had imposed a one-week suspension on Mr Murray, who missed his club's Scottish Hydro Premier Division 1 match against Watsonians on Saturday 17 April. Jamie Murray is therefore suspended up to and including Sunday 23 May."

The complaint against both men was made by the Border Rugby Referees' Society and referred to misconduct at a function after the Melrose Sevens on Saturday 10 April. It alleged "both individuals acted in a manner towards a match official that contravened Rules 13.3.2 and 13.3.8 of the Scottish Rugby Disciplinary Procedures 2009/10".