Catalans Dragons owner Bernard Guasch hit with another big punishment for comments made about match officials

Catalans Dragons owner Bernard Guasch has done a lot of good for the game in France helping establish the Dragons as a top team in Super League.

However he has again made headlines for the wrong reasons.

Last season the Dragons owner was hit with £10,000 for comments made about Liam Moore after the Grand Final when he stated Catalans wouldn’t play in another Grand Final unless an Australian official oversaw the fixture.

He has now been given a similar punishment for more comments made on June 3rd after the Dragons’ game against Huddersfield Giants.

Bernard Guasch has been suspended from attending any matches involving Catalans Dragons for four weeks, and fined £12,500 – £5,000 of which is suspended – for breaching the RFL’s Operational Rules following his club’s Betfred Super League fixture against Huddersfield Giants on June 3.

That £2,500 suspended fine has been added to the £10,000 fine imposed for this offence, £5,000 of which has been suspended until the end of the 2023 season and will be activated if he is found guilty of any further offence involving a match official or breach of the RFL’s Respect Policy.

The incident on June 3 involved Guasch using offensive language and questioning the integrity of a match official, and making physical contact.

It’s another disappointing development and the second in half a year to involve the Dragons owner.

The suspension began on June 27th and will conclude this month as the Dragons look to cement their spot in the top four of the Super League after victory over St Helens.