According to the twitter-machine, Lions coach John Mitchell has been cleared of all allegations after charges were withdrawn, with the New Zealander being quoted as saying that his future is in South Africa.
Details at this stage are sketchy but EWN Sport reports that Mitchell wants to remain with the Lions, stating that he wants his position as head coach of the Lions back, adding that there is unfinished business. It is reported that he has been found not guilty of the charges faced and that a further six charges have been dropped, as the team look to next year.
Furthermore, Mitchell has stated that he has no intention of taking a coaching role with the Sale Sharks, even though he has been approached by the club. We reported last week that Mitchell will form part of their strategy board, but that this will not entail any actual coaching.
As we get more info, we will update this thread.

Heard somewhere that Sale has already appointed their new head coach. Might be wrong though.
So what now, he wants to couch a team who doesn’t want him?
Also if charges were dropped, what does that mean? Lions are just sissies, who could not actually handle someone pressuring them to go further?
He’s not stupid, he’s not leaving, which means they have to let him go. Meaning they have to pay him out.
who needs 7de laan … 🙄
@Zibbie (Comment 4) : Imagine a reality tv series documenting life at the Lions rugby union. Not that it would ever happen but I’d love to watch something like that. They could use the series to recoup costs for missing out on Super Rugby next year! 😀
@vanmartin (Comment 5) : I’snt that Getroud met rugby show loosely based on the Lions.
@vanmartin (Comment 5) :
Comming soon to a soap box near you 😛
Maybe he can still do some good.
take them to the cleaners Mitch! 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : mmm I never thought of that, you probably right.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :
Agreed KSA, he’s going for constructive dismissal.
SA labour law puts the onus on the employee to prove his position was untenable if he walks away.
If fired the onus is on the employer to prove grounds for dismissal.
Now that there are no charges, there would seemingly be no reasonable grounds to fire him. He says he wants to come back, obviously he wont come back and obviouuly the Lions dont want him, therefore they need to pay him out because they are dismissing him with no reasonable grounds.
Simples! Will, however, get interesting if they say they also want him back…
Poor sissy lions players, glad I’m not there at Mitch first fitness session next season.
Maybe Mr de Klerk dropped the charges because he was under the “wrong” impression that Mitchell is with Sale Sharks…..
And now its oops 🙂