SRU clears Craig Chalmers but issues warning over conduct

CRAIG Chalmers has been cleared of a charge of misconduct by a disciplinary panel convened by the Scottish Rugby Union, but warned about his future behaviour.

• Craig Chalmers has been left to reflect on an unwanted disciplinary hearing. Picture: SNS

The Melrose coach along with centre Jamie Murray had been charged with verbal abuse of a match official at last month's Melrose Sevens. Murray was found guilty, and had a six-week suspension reduced to three weeks after apologising. The player's "hitherto unblemished discipline record and conduct" were also taken into account by the panel, which met at Selkirk rugby club on Wednesday night.

The panel, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, heard evidence from nine witnesses. That evidence, the panel concluded, "did not paint a consistent picture of the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident".

While Chalmers was therefore cleared, he was warned about his future conduct as the panel determined there had been a hostile atmosphere towards match officials within a suite at the Greenyards, Melrose's ground.

Chalmers was taken into custody by police on the evening of the sevens after a separate incident at a club event and later paid a 60 fixed penalty. He subsequently apologised for "any embarrassment I have caused to those around me and to the game of rugby".

Last night Melrose released a brief statement from director of rugby Mike Dalgetty. "Melrose RFC have taken on board the findings from last night's SRU hearing and have no further comment to make," it read.