‘Hmmmm’
The Johnny Sexton ban topic still rages wild, even though a decision has now been made.
Former Gloucester and La Rochelle outhalf Ryan Lamb has taken to social media to express his surprise over Johnny Sexton receiving just a three-match ban for his actions after the Champions Cup final, in May.
Sexton was banned for Ireland’s three World Cup matches after being brought in front of an independent disciplinary committee, prompted from receiving a letter about potential misconduct from the EPCR. Sexton has since apologised for his actions, which included him berating Champions Cup final referee Jaco Peyper and his officials, and EPCR Head of Referees, Tony Spreadbury.
Sexton and his Ireland team will be badly hit by his ban, especially as the outhalf has not played a game since March 18, but many pundits and rugby supporters feel the suspension is lenient. In light of what was available in the full decision from the committee, they have a point.
Ryan Lamb is one of the first former players around to raise up and question the ban. He tweeted:
‘I got a four-match ban for asking an official to explain a decision in an inappropriate manner. No swearing… Hmmm.’
That post opened up a hornet’s next, with some of the replies pointing out that Lamb’s behaviour, on and off the pitch, was not exactly whiter than white.
Ryan Lamb questions Johnny Sexton ban
When Ryan Lamb questioned the length of the Johnny Sexton ban, it led to a rugby supporter finding the hearing results after his four game ban.
The incident referred to Lamb, when he was assistant coach for Plymouth Albion RFC. At the conclusion of his side’s match, Lamb was alleged to have asked the referee how he could lodge a complaint against his performance, adding that it was ‘a f***ing embarrassment’. It was also alleged that he said the ref’s outing had been ‘a f***ing joke’ but this was contested.
Lamb did concede that he had been ‘inappropriate’ in how he approached the official and, in the hearing, had confirmed he stated that poor refereeing could cost people’s jobs. When screen-shots of his hearing were shared on Twitter, Lamb was forced to defend himself.
Some of the replies leaned on rugby fans claiming Ireland were always favoured by World Rugby and others pointing out their headquarters are in Dublin. Lamb himself, later mused, ‘On the flip side, how horrible would it be for one of the best players in Europe for the last decade finishes his career like that?’
Others sharing their opinions on the judgement were former Wales star Jonathan Davies, who stated that World Rugby had ‘bottled’ the Sexton decision. England captain Will Carling also tweeted:
If rugby’s values are important, and one of those values is respect, another must be discipline…..then those that run the game need to protect and defend those values above all else. If not, then why pretend we have any….
— Will Carling (@willcarling) July 17, 2023
As it stands, that Johnny Sexton ban expires on August 27 and he will be free to play Ireland’s first game at the World Cup, against Romania.
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