The Illinois Rugby Union has accused Eastern head rugby coach Frank Graziano of teaching and playing the sport in a dangerous way.

This charge has increased the tension between the two organizations throughout the 2005 season, which has included controversy over the referee being used during Eastern home games.

“After talking with officials, we have reason to believe that Frank is teaching an unsafe form of rugby,” Illinois Rugby Union president Ben Montez said.

After being questioned about the specifics in the accusation, Montez was unable to provide examples to prove his claim.

Graziano dismissed the allegation as false but did not comment further on the situation other than to point out a flaw in how communication between the two.

“It was a paperwork issue that didn’t get filed with one of our referees,” Graziano said.

The referee in question is Jim Gaine, who has coached the U-23 Men’s National Club Team and the Clemson men’s club team. Gaine’s attempt to get certified by the IRU and USA Rugby was complicated by the inability to properly file the necessary paperwork.

Late Thursday evening, Graziano and assistant coach Becky Carlson were informed everything was in order for Gaine to be the official by their standards for this past weekend’s game versus Marquette.

Until that point, Carlson voiced many frustrations she and the program have been forced to deal with regarding this situation. Included in her comments was her belief that the Illinois Rugby Union’s unfair treatment, questions over future games being cancelled and the lack of support from the athletic department.

“(The Illinois Rugby Union) have been hounding Frank and the program for years,” Carlson said.

The IRU has said they will not pull officials or club teams from Eastern’s schedule but has insisted that the Panthers program must obey its laws, which includes using their officials.

“I’m sure Frank would like to not have to deal with us at all,” Montez said. “However, since all they can play is club teams, that simply is not realistic.”

“I have to treat him no different than anybody else.”

Graziano disagrees with the idea of having to use the IRU officials since they are an NCAA affiliated sport.

“I have no problem with working with Ben (Montez) and USA Rugby,” Graziano said. “However, since we are not a club team, we have the right to assign officials.”

Graziano used to work for USA Rugby and did confirm that organization does not assign officials unless it involves national club championship games.

Carlson’s major problem with the controversy between the two organizations is the reaction of director of athletics Rich McDuffie.

“He has been getting e-mails from the Illinois Rugby Union for the last two years,” Carlson said. “If he wanted to, he could call them up, say leave us alone and they would go away.”

McDuffie had no comment but did have a meeting with Graziano and Carlson Friday to discuss the issue.

Graziano said that he does not anticipate any games being cancelled for the rest of the 2005 season.

Montez did state that his organization does not have issues with Eastern being only one of four NCAA sponsored sports but is disappointed in the Panthers not participating in the national club championship tournament.

“The fact remains Frank is an excellent coach and every year I try to get him to compete,” Montez said. “The misconception is that they are not allowed to play but they very much can.”