CARDIFF, Oct 4 (Reuter) - Former French captain Jean-Francois Tordo was sent off two minutes from time for verbal abuse as Nice fell 26-10 at home to Northampton in Pool D of the European Conference on Saturday, the organisers said.
Irish referee Leo Mayne, who was criticised for not sending off players in the stormy Heineken Cup clash between Pau and Llanelli on his last visit to France, was the man who dismissed Tordo.
Pau and Llanelli were each fined 20,000 pounds ($32,000) for their players' part in the violence during that clash, though Llanelli officials are refusing to pay until the cup organisers can prove the sanction is lawful.
The two clubs were ordered to pay 10,000 pounds ($16,000) each within 21 days. The remaining amount was suspended and payable only if either of the clubs committed a further offence before the end of the season.
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