The penalty fell. Leinster’s Irish fly-half Jonathan Sexton has been suspended for three matches by the EPCR, the organizing body of the Champions Cup. Leinster also receives a suspended fine of 7,500 pounds sterling (about 8,700 euros).
The Disciplinary Commission considered that the behavior of the captain of the XV of Clover was “hostile, aggressive and disrespectful towards the match officials”. The former Racing player attacked the officials of the Champions Cup final (lost 27-26 against La Rochelle on May 30), the South African referee Jaco Peyper and the English linesmen Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley.
The Irishman shouted at them even when he was not playing: “You are a fucking shame, not even able to make the right decisions”, probably accompanied by swearing, which the referees confirmed. His behavior was obviously unsportsmanlike although he admitted his misconduct.
Sexton (113 selections) is authorized to replay from August 27 when a heavier sanction was expected (the scale for bad behavior towards an official generally starts at ten weeks). Good news for the player and the Irish team since he will be available for the World Cup (September 8 – October 28).
The three matches that the 38-year-old opener will miss are the three preparation meetings for the World Cup with the XV of clover. Against Italy on August 5, England on August 17 and Samoa on August 26. Ireland will start their competition against Romania on September 9.
On the Leinster side, if the club is guilty of a new act of this kind before the end of the EPCR 2023/24 season, it will have to pay the fine in full. The player, the club and the EPCR have until Wednesday July 19, 2023 at 4 p.m. (London time) to appeal this decision.
