Sexton escapes World Cup punishment in hearing

Johnny Sexton has been handed a three-match ban for his conduct after the European Champions Cup Final but will be available to play throughout the Rugby World Cup.

38-year-old Sexton missed Leinster‘s defeat to La Rochelle with injury, but was present on the day and The European Professional Club Rugby disciplinary committee found his behaviour to be “confrontational and aggressive towards and disrespectful of the match officials”.

“Johnny Sexton admitted Misconduct,” a statement said. “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.”

Leinster were given also given a suspended fine of £7,500 for the incident, but Sexton has got away with a more severe punishment which many believed could have led him to miss some World Cup action.

He will miss all three of Ireland‘s World Cup warm-up matches, all home games against Italy, England and Samoa, but will be available for their tournament opener against Romania on 9 September.

Referee on the day, Jaco Peyper, said: “It was clear from his increasing proximity and aggressive demeanour that he wished to confront us and did so intentionally.

“My assistants were also aware of his hostile reaction, and one (Karl Dickson) reached across to keep him at distance, before he moved away from us and approached a gathering of Leinster Rugby players and staff.

“Following our instruction to move across to the medal presentation position, my assistants, the TMO and I became aware that Johnny Sexton had followed us across the field and taken up a position a few metres behind us and to our left.

“As soon as we realised that he had taken up a position behind us and was staring at us, we turned our backs to try and avoid any further confrontation with him.”

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