Eire captain Johnny Sexton could see his World Cup preparations hampered after misconduct complaints had been lodged following his behaviour in direction of match officers within the wake of Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup last defeat by La Rochelle.
Leinster suffered a heartbreaking 27-26 loss to the French membership on the Aviva Stadium on Might 20.
Sexton, 37, didn’t play within the match in Dublin after struggling a groin damage in the course of the Guinness Six Nations victory over England, which introduced his season to an early finish and required surgical procedure.
Nevertheless, following the tip of the sport – which Leinster had led 23-7 on the half-hour mark – Sexton got here onto the pitch and have become concerned in what seemed to be a heated alternate with South African referee Jaco Peyper and the opposite match officers.
On Thursday, European Skilled Membership Rugby (EPCR) issued a press release confirming misconduct complaints had now been submitted following “thorough reality discovering and cautious overview” of Sexton’s actions and likewise Leinster for not exercising affordable management over their participant.
Veteran fly-half Sexton is about to retire after the World Cup in France later this yr, and if the impartial disciplinary panel – which will hear the case on July 13 – points a considerable ban, his involvement in Eire’s preparations could be affected.
An announcement from the EPCR learn: “Misconduct complaints towards the Leinster Rugby participant, Johnny Sexton, and towards Leinster Rugby, arising from the Heineken Champions Cup last on Saturday Might 20 2023, have been lodged by EPCR.
“After thorough reality discovering and cautious overview of Johnny Sexton’s behaviour in direction of match officers after the match, in accordance with EPCR rules, the EPCR disciplinary officer has submitted misconduct complaints in order that an impartial disciplinary panel can decide whether or not any misconduct has been dedicated by Mr Sexton (via his behaviour) and Leinster (via failing to train affordable management over Mr Sexton).
“The complaints had been referred to the chairman of the impartial disciplinary panel, who has appointed Christopher Quinlan KC (England, Chair), Adam Casselden SC (Australia) and Marcello D’Orey (Portugal) because the impartial disciplinary committee to listen to the case and think about whether or not misconduct came about.
“The listening to will happen by video convention, on July 13. EPCR can be making no additional remark.”
Eire have three warm-up fixtures on the horizon, together with towards England in Dublin on August 19.
Andy Farrell’s males start their World Cup marketing campaign towards Romania on September 9 at Stade de Bordeaux, with South Africa, Scotland and Tonga additionally in Pool B.
