Cockerill guided Tigers to the Premiership title last season

Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill has been suspended for four weeks after pleading guilty to two offences of abuse of match officials.

Cockerill will not be allowed any involvement with his team or officials on match days until 23 December.

The incidents occurred during the LV= Cup tie against Newport Gwent Dragons on 14 November.

Cockerill, who guided Leicester to the Premiership title last season, has also been fined £2,000.

The former England international said ahead of the Rugby Football Union hearing that his comments were "unacceptable", apologised and vowed not to let it happen again.

606: DEBATE Seems fair enough. Can't abuse the officals, even if they are incompetent Juggler

"I said a few things in the heat of the moment against Newport, and I have apologised to those concerned," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury.

"You can't do those sort of things. It is unacceptable.

"It's not good enough from me, and I should set an example. I will take the consequences and it won't happen again."

Cockerill, who won 27 England caps, will be prevented from involvement with the Tigers for Guinness Premiership matches against Leeds and Wasps, and home and away Heineken Cup fixtures against Clermont Auvergne.

The 38-year-old took over as permanent Tigers head coach last April and not only guided the Welford Road club to Premiership glory, but also took them to the Heineken Cup final where they lost to Leinster.

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