Johnny Sexton potentially faces a suspension for his remarks aimed at referee Jaco Peyper following the Champions Cup final between Leinster and La Rochelle.
Despite being unable to participate in the 27-26 defeat due to injury, the Leinster captain garnered attention after the match due to reports of a halftime altercation and a verbal altercation with the officials.
The Sunday newspaper, Rapport, claims to have acquired footage of the incident capturing Sexton strongly criticizing the match officials.
According to the report, the Irish fly-half directed insults at the officiating team, primarily singling out referee Peyper.
A source quoted Sexton as saying, “You are all a f***king disgrace,” before walking away to console a teammate. Presently, the footage of the altercation has surfaced online.
Reacting to the clip, one fan wrote: “The ‘focking disgrace’ Sexton footage has left me sick to the pit of my stomach. This man is nothing short of a hooligan, who must receive a lengthy playing ban & a lifetime stadium ban. Also, fuck the suit/trainers look. I’ve been wanting to get that off my chest for a while.”
Another commented: “He’s also committing the most heinous crime against fashion of thinking a really shit blue suit goes with white daps. Should be banned for a year just for that, with the ban for abusing & harassing the Ref added on top.”
A third wrote: “He used to be a decent bloke, but fame went to his head. I cant wait to see him crying at the world cup once Ireland gets knocked out.”
“World Rugby will do nothing because he is part of the old boys club,” added a fourth.
Sexton approaching referee clip
Scotland handed pool of death for Rugby World Cup with ‘absolutely no chance’ of progression
The 2023 tournament will take place between 8 September and 21 October 2023.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The draw is a key milestone on the journey to Rugby World Cup France 2023, and the time when the tournament truly comes to life for teams and players alike.
“It enables key operational elements to be undertaken such as venue allocation, optimal match schedule development and the ticketing programme.”
FULL 2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP DRAW:
POOL A
- New Zealand
- France
- Italy
- Uruguay
- Namibia
POOL A FIXTURES:
Sep 8: France vs New Zealand (Pool A) – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Sep 9: Italy vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne
Sep 14: France vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Sep 15: New Zealand vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Sep 20: Italy vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Stade de Nice, Nice
Sep 21: France vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Sep 27: Uruguay vs Namibia (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
Sep 29: New Zealand vs Italy (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
Oct 5: New Zealand vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
Oct 6: France vs Italy (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
