Christian Gajan given six-month ban

Former Zebre head coach Christian Gajan has been handed a suspended six-month ban from all rugby after being found guilty of verbally abusing match officials.

The offence took place following the Italian side's final-day defeat to Munster on May 3.

Gajan has the right to appeal the ban, which will remain suspended for two years.

A RaboDirect PRO12 statement read: "The independent disciplinary committee considered M Gajan's previous disciplinary record and previous cases of a similar nature, and heard evidence of M Gajan's personal circumstances.

"The disciplinary committee banned M Gajan from participating in rugby union in any capacity anywhere in the world for a period of six months.

"However, the disciplinary committee suspended the sanction for a period of two years, so that it will not be imposed unless and until M Gajan is found guilty of misconduct again in that period."

Zebre finished bottom of the RaboDirect PRO12 last season, losing all 22 of their league matches.