Rugby World Cup organisers said today they will take action against Namibia coach Dave Waterston because of what they called unacceptable comments about referees.
Waterston said after Namibia's 64-7 defeat to Ireland on Sunday that he believed smaller nations were more heavily penalised when they played more established rugby powers.
"The tragedy is that if you're a ref and you want the big appointments you've got to lick the backsides of the top nations," Waterston told reporters on Sunday.
Rugby World Cup spokesman Chris Rea said organisers had taken a dim view of Waterston's comments and would soon decide what action to take.
Rea also confirmed that Namibia had requested that World Cup officials cite Ireland lock Paul O'Connell for stamping on Namibia lock Archie Graham. A furious Waterston said after the match he had referred the match to the disciplinary panel for further investigation.
Rea said a statement on the O'Connell incident and the rules regarding the citing of players would be made at about 1 p.m. (Irish time).
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said he was surprised by Namibia's complaint and described the incident as "fairly innocuous".
Rea earlier told reporters that England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio had not been cited over an incident in England's 25-6 defeat of South Africa on Saturday.
Dallaglio appeared to punch South Africa winger Thinus Delport, who left the field with a cut above his eye. Under tournament rules, a citing commissioner has 24 hours from the end of a match to decide whether further action is taken.
Teams do not have the power to cite opposing players but can refer any incidents of foul play to the disciplinary panel for consideration. The citing commissioner then decides whether or not the player has a case to answer.