A disgraced Dundee rugby coach resigned from his post as soon as he was convicted of assaulting a 13-year-old player in an opposing team.
Keith Richiardi is still free to attend coaching sessions organised by the game’s governing body, according to the president of Dundee Eagles.
Club chief Gerry Tosh was responding to allegations surrounding the case of Richiardi, who “saw red” during an Angus interclub match. Mr Tosh said he did not know if the 59-year-old former firefighter was still attending coaching sessions.
Richiardi was found guilty of assaulting a 13-year-old boy in Carnoustie, following a “stramash” between Montrose and Dundee Eagles players at a friendly festival.
The junior section of Dundee High School Rugby’s affiliated club was playing at Carnoustie High against Carnoustie and Montrose in a three-way contest.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard Richiardi sprinted on to the pitch because he believed a Montrose player had his son in a headlock during an off-the-ball incident.
Carnoustie coach David Christie said Richiardi picked the player up and turned him around to shout at him.
Richiardi, of Balmerino Place, Dundee, admitted lifting the boy up from the ground by the collar and turning him around to remonstrate with him.
He also admitted to shouting “deck him” to his son as he ran towards the disturbance. Other witnesses spoke to Richiardi’s character and long service to the club.
Sheriff Gregor Murray, in finding Richiardi guilty of a “technical” assault, said he was “exercised greatly” over what sentence he could impose.
The physical act of lifting up a 13-year-old boy had the hallmarks of an assault, but he deferred sentence for three months for Richiardi to be of good behaviour.
The sheriff said his ultimate disposal will depend on whether a conviction, and its repercussions in terms of disclosure, would adversely affect Richiardi’s ability to coach.
The Courier has received an anonymous letter claiming Richiardi had not resigned as a coach, was not suspended in the run-up to the trial and “was apparently present at a recent coaching session”.
The writer added “it would appear that he is hoping that the matter will simply go away so that he can go on as before”.
He continued: “The man has shown that he is completely unfit to coach young boys in the game of rugby and is a risk to child safety.”
Mr Tosh stated: “The facts of the matter are that Mr Richiardi was called to a disciplinary meeting after the incident and was suspended from his post as S1 coach with Dundee Eagles.
“Part of his suspension was that he should attend sessions for coaches run by the Scottish Rugby Union to maintain his skills as part of his continuing professional development. I have no information if he has actually done so.
“After his conviction he tendered his resignation as a coach with us and this was accepted. His future in the game is unclear as his case has still to be decided by the court.”