Patrice Collazo’s Chaotic Debut with Racing 92
Patrice Collazo’s Racing 92 debut was marred by a disappointing home defeat to newly promoted Vannes (25-30) and a disciplinary matter that has cast a shadow over his tenure.
On-Field Struggles
Racing 92, who are currently battling to avoid relegation, failed to overcome the challenge of Vannes in front of their home crowd at Paris La Défense Arena. The Hauts-de-Seine club’s struggles continued as they succumbed to a spirited performance from the promoted side.
Collazo, who previously managed La Rochelle and Toulon, is now tasked with the daunting responsibility of guiding Racing 92 away from the relegation zone. However, his efforts have been hampered by a sluggish start that has seen the team register just three wins in their opening 11 matches.
Disciplinary Matter
Adding to Collazo’s woes, the Racing 92 coach has been summoned to appear before the disciplinary commission on February 26th. Initially, it was believed that the summons was related to Collazo’s alleged disrespectful behavior toward the referee during the Vannes match. However, Racing 92 has since clarified that the disciplinary matter stems from an administrative error concerning the absence of assistant coach Dimitri Szarzewski for a medical emergency.
Details of the Alleged Offence
According to a statement released by the French Rugby Federation (FFR), "Referee number 4 reported the behavior of Mr. Patrice Collazo, coach of Racing 92, at the end of the aforementioned match." The statement further noted that Collazo’s actions could constitute a violation of the LNR and FFR regulations.
Racing 92’s Clarification
Racing 92 released a statement on Thursday denying that Collazo had been disrespectful toward the referee. The club clarified that the disciplinary summons was solely related to the administrative error regarding Szarzewski’s absence.
Impact on Collazo and Racing 92
The disciplinary matter has cast a cloud over Collazo’s debut with Racing 92. The club’s hopes of securing a better outcome against Vannes may have been affected by the distraction created by the impending disciplinary hearing.
Collazo’s appearance before the disciplinary commission could potentially result in a sanction, which could further hinder his efforts to turn around the team’s fortunes. The club will be hoping that the matter is resolved swiftly and without any significant repercussions for the coach.
Conclusion
Patrice Collazo’s start at Racing 92 has been characterized by both on-field struggles and off-field distractions. While the team’s relegation battle intensifies, Collazo will need to find a way to both improve their results and navigate the disciplinary matter. The outcome of the disciplinary hearing will have a significant impact on his future with the club.
