Irish rugby captain Johnny Sexton has been hit with a three-match suspension following an incident of misconduct during the Champions Cup final. While this comes as a blow to Sexton and his team, the seasoned fly-half will still be able to lead his country in the upcoming Rugby World Cup, set to commence on September 8th, 2023.

Verbal altercation with match officials

The suspension is the result of what happened during the Champions Cup final, which saw Leinster face a narrow defeat of 27-26 against La Rochelle. Sexton was not participating in the game. But he made his way onto the pitch and engaged in what appeared to be a heated exchange with South African referee Jaco Peyper and other match officials. This confrontation ultimately led to Sexton’s misconduct charge.

An independent disciplinary committee met recently and announced its decision, finding Sexton guilty of misconduct. The committee highlighted Sexton’s confrontational and aggressive behavior, deeming it disrespectful towards the match officials. Sexton was seen pointing his finger at them, shouting statements like, “It’s a disgrace you guys can’t get the big decisions right.”

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As a consequence, Sexton will be suspended immediately, missing out on Ireland’s upcoming warm-up matches against Italy, England, and Samoa. However, he will be eligible for selection when Ireland kicks off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania.

Leinster Rugby also received a suspended fine of £7,500 for their failure to exercise reasonable control over their player. If they are found guilty of another misconduct act before the 2023/24 EPCR season ends, they will have to pay the full fine.

Contemplating the decision and reactions on Twitter

The disciplinary committee’s decision has sparked a mixed response from rugby enthusiasts and fans alike. Some expressed their disbelief, drawing comparisons to previous incidents. One user termed Sexton’s sentence as lenient and called him lucky.

Others sympathized with the Irish fans who won’t have the opportunity to watch Sexton play on home soil before the World Cup.

Nevertheless, despite the suspension, Sexton’s availability for the Rugby World Cup provides a glimmer of hope for Irish rugby fans. Sexton played a pivotal role in leading Ireland to a Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year. The Rugby World Cup offers him a chance to leave a lasting impact on the international stage before retirement.

As the tournament approaches, we eagerly anticipate witnessing Sexton’s final moments on the international stage. Will he be able to guide Ireland to success in his last hurrah? Only time will tell.

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You can also share your opinions on the incident and the outcome of the investigation. Did Sexton deserve the suspension? Do let us know below!