Ronan O’Gara, head coach of Stade Rochelais, was sent off during their Top 14 match against Pau on November 30, 2023, escalating tensions following an early red card issued to La Rochelle’s Antoine Hastoy. The incident marks the latest in a series of disciplinary concerns for O’Gara this season.
The dismissal occurred in the 57th minute, after O’Gara had already received a warning from referee Jérémy Rozier following Hastoy’s 34th-second ejection for a high foot to the head of Pau’s Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang. Rozier directly addressed O’Gara after the initial red card, stating, “I here: ‘Good Jérémy!’ when I make my decision. The rule is very clear. The player is bleeding,the foot goes straight to the head,it’s a red card. I don’t want to hear you. If I hear you again, I’ll send you back to the stands. Is that clear to you?”
The exclusion followed a challenge involving Facundo Isa, placing La Rochelle at a disadvantage.O’Gara had previously faced sanctions requiring him to observe matches from the stands, and this latest red card will trigger a review by the disciplinary committee. The outcome of that review could result in further penalties for the coach,impacting la Rochelle’s performance in the competitive Top 14 league.
