Ireland captain Sexton free to face Springboks at RWC despite ban

Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton has been handed a three-match ban for abusing South African referee Jaco Peyper, but he was cleared to front the Springboks in their World Cup pool encounter.

He will be suspended for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup warm-up matches against Italy, England and Samoa in August after he admitted a misconduct charge following the Champions Cup final in May. Leinster were also handed a suspended fine of £7,500.

Sexton was charged with misconduct for verbally abusing Peyper and his officiating team following his club Leinster’s Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle in May.

SEXTON BROUGHT THE GAME INTO DISREPUTE

An independent disciplinary committee found Sexton’s behaviour ‘confrontational and aggressive towards and disrespectful of the match officials’.

“Having regard to the full circumstances of the misconduct and the mitigation which is set out in detail in the written reasons, the disciplinary committee concluded that the appropriate and proportionate sanction was an immediate suspension of three matches.

“Sexton is suspended with immediate effect and cannot play in the following Ireland matches: 1. August 5, Italy; 2. August 19, England; 3. August 26, Samoa.”

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The committee’s report concluded: “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.”