LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Leicester head coach Michael Cheika has been hit with a two-week suspension after being found guilty of disrespecting an independent match-day doctor.

The former Australia and Argentina boss will be banned for the Tigers’ Premiership match against Newcastle on Saturday, with one week of the ban suspended until the end of the season.

Leicester have hit out at the ban, which was given to Cheika for his conduct following his first competitive game in charge of the club, a 17-14 win over Exeter on September 21.

An independent disciplinary panel found Cheika “disrespected the independent match-day doctor in challenging the decision he had made that a player was subject to an IPR (immediate permanent removal).”

In a statement released by Leicester, executive chairman Peter Tom said: “Leicester Tigers welcome the panel’s finding that head coach Michael Cheika was not intimidating or abusive towards the match-day doctor following the recent game with Exeter Chiefs.

“However, the club would nevertheless like to express its dissatisfaction with the finding that Michael Cheika was disrespectful.”

Leicester added they will seek clarification from the Rugby Football Union on the judgement and reserve the right to appeal the decision.