Leicester chief fined by RFU

Leicester chief executive Peter Wheeler has been fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £250 costs for his public criticism of match referee Steve Lander following the Premiership game against Bristol at the Memorial Stadium on 5 May.

Wheeler went before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing following a complaint from the west country club over comments made in a local newspaper column.

The Leicester chief was found not guilty of the other two charges relating to comments concerning members of the Bristol squad and their then coach Dean Ryan, and a third of failing to take all possible steps to stop the game from being brought into disrepute.

Wheeler, who also represents Premier Rugby on the RFU's management board, criticised Lander after he sent off Bristol's England prop Julian White and Leicester's Adam Balding for fighting.