ELLIOT Daly will play no part in Wasps' final match in High Wycombe after being banned for verbally abusing a referee.
The 22-year-old centre was slapped with a three week ban at an RFU disciplinary hearing yesterday after pleading guilty to 'acts contrary to good sportsmanship'.
That ban will last until December 16 - two days after Wasps bid an emotional farewell to their home of the last 12 years.
Their European Champions Cup game against Castres will be their final game at Adams Park but Daly's moment of indiscretion means he won't feature in the historic match.
He committed the offence during his side's 31-15 defeat by Exeter Chiefs on Saturday and was sent to the sin bin for his trouble by referee Ian Tempest.
Wasps have said this week that Daly - who has personally spoken to the official to apologise - will also be disciplined internally by the club.
The offence has a minimum entry point of a six week ban, but RFU bosses felt they were able to reduce it by half due to Daly's previous good behaviour record.
But the reduction wasn't enough to prevent Daly from missing the match that brings down the curtain on Wasps' tenure at Adams Park.
Daly said: "I would like to apologise for what I said to the referee, Ian Tempest, during our game against Exeter Chiefs. The language I used was inappropriate and it was wrong of me to criticise the referee.
"Respect for the referee is paramount and I crossed the line. I have already called Mr Tempest to apologise personally for saying something in the heat of the moment, which I regret and wish I could take back.
"I made a mistake, now I need to take the punishment and make sure it never happens again."
Northampton captain Dylan Hartley was the last Premiership player to be censured for abusing an official. He missed last year's Lions tour to Australia after being hit with an 11 week ban following his red card in the Premiership play off final.
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