MACK HANSEN has been handed a three-game ban after his post-match outburst following Connacht’s defeat to Leinster.
The Ireland and Connacht star put the match officials on blast with controversial comments in a post-match press conference.
Speaking after the 20-12 defeat, he said: “To be honest, it felt like we were getting reffed out of the game for the first 40 minutes, pretty much.
“Then, we were able to do our thing. We were able to show the exciting rugby that we play.
“We’re not a team for excuses, but that’s what I feel. I feel like in the first bit.
“We were getting pressured from what seemed like 16 men against us instead of 15, to be honest with you.”
Hansen faced a URC committee hearing on Wednesday after being charged with misconduct following the comments.
And in a statement on Thursday morning, URC organisers revealed that the Australia-born star had been hit with a six-week ban, with three suspended.
The statement read: “Mack Hansen of Connacht Rugby has received a six-week ban (with three of those weeks suspended) after an Independent Disciplinary Panel upheld a charge of misconduct against the Player.
“Additionally, Connacht Rugby (the Club) have received a suspended €10,000 fine related to the Player’s sanction.
“Hansen was charged with Misconduct in breach of Clause 3.2 of the Disciplinary Rules of the BKT United Rugby Championship after comments that he made about the match officiating of the Round 8 Leinster Rugby versus Connacht Rugby game on December 21, 2024.
“Those comments included significant criticism of the referee officiating at that match.
“Further, Hansen was also charged with Misconduct in breach of eight other clauses of the Disciplinary Rules (3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5, 3.3.6, 3.3.8, 3.3.13, 3.3.14 and 3.3.18).
“Additionally, the obligations of clubs to exercise control over their personnel were also considered in relation to the Player and Connacht Rugby.
“Hansen in large part accepted that his actions amounted to Misconduct and apologised for his actions.
“The Disciplinary Panel met yesterday, Wednesday, January 8 and consisted of Roger Morris (Chair, Wales), Nigel Williams (Wales) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa).
“In deciding the sanction, the panel considered the apology from the Player and that attaching a learning process would have a more positive outcome rather than merely applying a playing sanction.
“In their conclusion, a six-week ban was deemed appropriate with three weeks suspended.”
In addition to the suspension, Hansen has been told to make a full apology to referee Chris Busby.
He will also undertake an appropriate course as decided by URC Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning and IRFU Head of Referees Dudley Phillips.
Connacht Rugby will also have to run an education session with their players about how to conduct themselves in post-match media sessions and interactions with the media.
As a result of the suspension, Hansen will miss the Challenge Cup games against Lyon and Cardiff (January 11 and 17) and the URC clash against Glasgow Warriors (January 24).
However, he will not miss any of Ireland’s Six Nations games.
