Japan ban coach Jones for four matches after 'verbal abuse' of officials

Japan head coach Eddie Jones has been handed a six-week ban and had his salary docked for directing "verbal abuse" towards officials during an U23s' tour of Australia last month.

The 66-year-old former England boss, who is in his second spell with the Brave Blossoms, accepted the disciplinary decision of the Japanese Rugby Football Union and apologised for his "inappropriate" comments.

Jones said in a statement via the JRFU: "I take this disciplinary action very seriously. At the U23 Japan national-team match held in Australia the other day, my inappropriate remarks caused discomfort to the local match officials and all those involved.

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"I apologise to everyone involved, and I deeply regret my words and actions.

"I will strive to ensure that such an incident does not happen again."

The U23 tour took place from April 1-15, with the JRFU confirming on Wednesday that Jones had been given an unspecified "salary reduction" and six-week suspension, running from April 24 to June 5.

The punishment will see the Australian miss four games, the final one being the Nations Championship opener against Italy in Tokyo on July 4.