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Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will attend the match Rugby World Cup even if they are found guilty of bringing the sport into “disgrace” by harassing officials.
Dressed in a shirt and jacket, the injured Sexton was confronted by referee Jaco Peyper and other officials on the pitch after Leinster’s 27-26 defeat by La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final on May 20.
European Professional Club Rugby’s disciplinary committee said Sexton’s actions included “pointing his finger at them and yelling at them: ‘Shame on you guys you can’t make big decisions’ possibly followed by the expletive ‘maybe the f- word.’
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Sexton is one of Ireland’s greatest ever players and has been integral to their rise to world number one.
The 38-year-old five-eighth will miss the warm-up games against Italy, England and Samoa but will be available for Ireland’s World Cup opener against Romania on September 9.
Sexton pleaded guilty.
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The disciplinary committee considered that his behavior was controversial and aggressive towards the officials of the game,” the statement said.
“His attitude was unsportsmanlike and he made rugby history.”
Ireland are considered one of the World Cup favorites along with France, New Zealand and South Africa
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