Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has been given a three-match ban, which rules him out for the three warm-up matches in the run up to the World Cup, but is available to play in the Tournament.
The Irish and Leinster out-half has been slapped with a 7500 pound fine (8750) and the three match ban, following an Independent Disciplinary Hearing, arising from the Heineken Cup Final on May 20th last.
An independent disciplinary committee found Sexton had been ‘confrontational and aggressive’ towards referee Jaco Peyer and his fellow officials in the aftermath of Leinster’s Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium.
Sexton will be forced to sit out games against Italy, England and Samoa next month, leaving him with no match sharpness ahead of the tournament opener against Romania on September 9th, nursing injury also, he will be forced to sit back.
European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] said in a statement:
“Johnny Sexton admitted misconduct. The disciplinary committee found his behaviour confrontational and aggressive towards and disrespectful of the match officials.
“It included his pointing his finger at them and shouting at them something to this effect: ‘It’s a disgrace you guys can’t get the big decisions right’ probably accompanied by expletives ‘most likely the f-word’.
“His conduct was obviously unsportsmanlike and brought the sport of rugby union into disrepute.
“Having regard to the full circumstances of the misconduct and the mitigation which is set out in detail in the written reasons, the disciplinary committee concluded that the appropriate and proportionate sanction was an immediate suspension of three matches.”
Both Sexton and Leinster have the right to appeal the decisions, which must be done by 4pm on Wednesday.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.