Johnny Sexton before his controntation with Jaco Peyper. Photo: InPho.
Leinster’s Johnny Sexton in hot water for confronting SA ref after Champions Cup final loss
In the wake of Leinster’s Champions Cup final defeat, injured club captain Johnny Sexton was seen having a direct go at referee Jaco Pepper after approaching the match officials in the tunnel.
Johnny Sexton before his controntation with Jaco Peyper. Photo: InPho.
EPCR officials have launched an immediate investigation into two astonishing alleged incidents involving Leinster captain Johnny Sexton, match officials and members of staff from the opposition team.
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Leinster were primed to win a record-equalling fifth European Champions Cup title when they opened up a commanding 17-0 lead inside the opening 12 minutes in the final against La Rochelle on Saturday.
But it went downhill from there, as the home side crashed and burned in the face of a scintillating La Rochelle comeback.
The French club, who had also beaten Leinster in last year’s final, produced one of the best finals performances in Champions Cup history to down their hosts 27-26, a result which saw them clinch back-to-back titles.
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Things took a turn for the worse as Leinster revealed themselves as sore losers
After the final whistle, injured Leinster club captain Jonathan Sexton was seen approaching the match officials, wagging an admonishing finger in the direction of South African referee Jaco Peyper.
It is alleged that Sexton accused Peyper of unfair officiating which believed contributed to the outcome of the match.
There were also reports of a half-time tunnel bust-up which allegedly saw Sexton and Leinster assistant coach Sean O’Brien go up against La Rochelle lock Will Skelton and coach Ronan O’Gara.
EPCR CHIEFS LAUNCH INVESTIGATION INTO INCIDENTS
In a statement released late on Saturday night, the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed they are looking into the incidents.
“EPCR is aware of reports of incidents at half-time during the Heineken Champions Cup final and after the game at the Aviva Stadium and the tournament organiser will be investigating this as soon as practicable,” said a statement from competition organisers.”
“We have no further comment at this time.”
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WHAT WAS SAID ON TWITTER ABOUT SEXTON
“If these accusations of finger wagging from Sexton are true, then Leinster must be banned from next year’s tournament. There is no place for this kind of disgusting behaviour in The Spirit of Rugby,” one user tweeted.
Another said: “Sexton is a fierce competitor but he does love a whinge!”
A third tweeted: “More to the point, what was Sexton finger-wagging about, anyway? Peyper spent the entire game nursing Leinster to victory. He had bollocks all to finger wag about.”
Sexton also had a direct go at referee Jaco Peyper straight after full-time
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) May 20, 2023
