Davy Fitzgerald facing four-week ban over referee confrontation after Waterford’s defeat to Clare

Waterford received notification of the penalty last week ahead of what turned out to be their final round robin game against Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds.

It is believed Clare have also received notice of a similar penalty for one of their backroom members who was involved in the exchanges. It followed an investigation by the Central Competitions Controls Committee (CCCC).

The proposed penalty comes under Rule 7.2 (c), category 11a which covers abusive language towards a match official or disruptive conduct. If it’s accepted or proved, it will make little difference to Fitzgerald with Waterford making their exit from the championship.

If he stays on for a third year he would have to sit out the opening game of next year’s Munster Championship as a one game suspension from the same competition is part of the penalty, even if that game falls outside the four weeks.

But Fitzgerald is adamant that his words were not abusive towards Gordon as the official came off the field and that the confrontation was about the number of steps the Clare player Mark Rodgers took in the lead up to his goal rather than a dispute over the 65 awarded to Clare late on that Rodgers converted to win the game. In a weekend interview with the Irish Times he stressed that point.

On a point of principle he may elect to seek a hearing and challenge the proposed penalty.

Fitzgerald was non-committal about staying on with Waterford after Sunday’s defeat in the Gaelic Grounds.

After failing to make the top flight in next year’s seven-team Division 1A league, Waterford turned their season around with a win over Cork but they let a lead slip against Tipperary for a draw that ultimately cost them advancement in the championship.