York City Knights coach James Ratcliffe banned for two months (From York Press)

York City Knights coach James Ratcliffe banned for two months

9:40am Thursday 28th January 2010

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Updated: York City Knights look set to take no further action against head coach James Ratcliffe after he was disciplined for racial abuse.

He has already stepped down from his position working with youth representative teams in North Yorkshire and now starts two months away from rugby league altogether under a six-month ban imposed by a Rugby Football League tribunal for bringing the game into disrepute. Four months of the ban are suspended.

The punishment follows an incident after a match between York College and Heckmondwike Grammar School, in West Yorkshire, on October 7, 2009, when he racially abused a member of the public. Mr Ratcliffe held a position at the time teaching rugby league at the college.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “He has been given a punishment after the hearing on Monday night that has been accepted and that is the end of the matter as far as we are concerned.”

Asked if that meant that the club did not intend to take any further action itself against Mr Ratcliffe, Mr Wilson said: “There is no further comment.”

A statement on the club website said it accepted the sanction. Both the club and the league confirmed that Mr Ratcliffe had stepped down as service area co-ordinator for North Yorkshire. In that capacity he worked with amateur youth representative teams.

The tribunal ordered that two months of the ban come into immediate effect, only days before the start of the 2010 season. The remaining four months are suspended on condition that he attends two equality and diversity education courses and does not re-offend in the next 12 months.

The tribunal decided he had breached its coaches’ code of conduct, equality statement and respect policy.

Following the incident last October, York College banned Mr Ratcliffe from teaching its college rugby league team.

Mr Ratcliffe today said: “I would just like to apologise to anyone who has taken offence as a result of my actions. I also apologise to all connected with York City Knights for any embarrassment caused.

“By resigning from my full-time employment as North Yorkshire service area co-ordinator I was hoping to avoid any further embarrassment to the club. While I have no excuses for my actions in this matter I was hoping, after four months and taking the above actions into account, I would be able to put the whole sorry incident behind me. I would like to thank everyone involved in the game who has offered me support over the last 16 weeks.”

A York College spokesman said: “We are pleased that the Rugby League has taken this matter as seriously as the college. We are also pleased that this investigation has been concluded.”

Heckmondwike Grammar School declined to comment.

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