Johnny Sexton faces World Championship ban after being accused of 'misconduct'

Johnny Sexton is looking forward to his hearing next month. Credit: Getty Images/David Rogers

Johnny Sexton's World Cup preparations could be in jeopardy after the Ireland and Leinster captain were filed complaints of misconduct for his behavior towards match officials after the European Cup final.

Video footage has surfaced showing the 37-year-old protesting to three on-field officials — South African referee Jaco Peiper and English assistant referees Carl Dixon and Christoph Ridley — at the end of the game before Dixon escorts him away .

Sexton, who will retire after this year's World Cup, played no part in Leinster's 27–26 loss to La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium due to a groin injury sustained during Ireland's decisive win at the Grand Slam over England in March. Six weeks after the European Cup final, the European Professional Rugby Club confirmed on Thursday that it is filing «misconduct complaints» against the midfielder, with a hearing set for Thursday 13 July.

«Complaints of misconduct against Johnny Sexton and Leinster Rugby arising out of the Heineken Champions Cup Final have been filed by EPCR,» tournament organizers said in a statement. “Following a thorough fact finding and careful analysis of Johnny Sexton’s behavior towards match officials after the match, in accordance with EPCR rules, the disciplinary inspector filed a complaint of misconduct so that an independent disciplinary panel could determine whether any misconduct was committed by Sexton (through his behaviour) and Leinster (through his inability to exercise reasonable control over Sexton). EPCR will not comment further.»

Last December, head coach Poe Sebastien Pikeronis was suspended for 20 weeks (after mitigation, it was halved to 10 weeks) after being charged with misconduct. Pikeronis was found guilty of «threatening words and actions» that also contained a physical element, although the disciplinary commission concluded that his actions did not amount to «physical abuse».

If found guilty, Sexton's ban would no doubt last less than a week than the French coach's ban, although a disciplinary panel would have to decide what constitutes a «meaningful match» for the Irish striker. The minimum sanction for threatening match officials is currently 12 weeks and can be reduced through mitigation.

Ireland will play Italy, England and Samoa in August to warm up for the World Cup before kicking off their campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on 9 September.