A leading French rugby official has demanded “explanations” after a photograph emerged of referee Jaco Peyper appearing to pose with Wales fans mimicking a key red-card incident from Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final.
Wales beat France 20-19 after South African Peyper sent off France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina for elbowing Aaron Wainwright in the face when France were leading 19-10 early in the second half.
A picture being circulated on social media appears to show a smiling Peyper in the middle of a group of celebrating Welsh fans, raising his elbow to seemingly mimic the violent incident that led to Vahaamahina’s sending off.
French Rugby Federation vice president Dr Serge Simon said on Twitter: “This photo, if it is true, is shocking and explanations will be necessary.”
World Rugby issued a statement saying it was aware of the picture but that it would be “inappropriate to comment further while we are establishing the facts.”
The head coaches from both teams involved agreed it had been the correct decision to send off Vahaamahina, who had earlier scored France’s first try in the match.
Vahaamahina faces a World Rugby disciplinary hearing on Thursday but its consequences will be minimal after he announced announced his retirement from international rugby later on Monday.
He revealed in a statement that along with ending his France career, coincidentally on his 28th birthday, he will have a long-planned operation on his arm.
He added: “It is the end of a cycle, a new page turns in my career. I am 28 and I can’t wait to rebuild, physically and mentally, and come back even stronger.”
Ex force fan
Guest
Love a referee with a sense of humour. Makes referees more human - Owens one liners are brilliant. I think it has more to do with the French trying to get appointments for their mediocre referees like Garces and Poite. Unfortunately it worked an Garces got the Bok-Wales semifinal. Disaster waiting to happen.
rebel
Roar Guru
What hair?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
If the French want to get angry with Jaco, it should be about the Welsh asking him not to let the French slow the game down, and then, after scoring, turning the last 6 minutes of the game into a snore fest of scrum resets doing exactly what they had asked Jaco to stop and what they had done to the Wobblies weeks before.
piru
Roar Rookie
Agreed, this is in fun and hardly worth a sanction
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
There is a photoshop where he has a fist full of 20 pound notes in his hand, that one is even funnier.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Well done the welsh fans and Jaco, this is hilarious. The French need to take a concrete pill and harden up. They should be directing their venom at their player for his action. Vahaamahina's choice cost France a semi final position. The only mitigating factor would be if Wainwright had a hold of his plums.
piru
Roar Rookie
I actually thought this was photoshop is that even him?
piru
Roar Rookie
Because he didn't 'high five' him at all
Double Agent
Guest
A total non event.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
"he will have a long-planned operation on his arm." It has a mind of its own right?
ethan
Guest
What a beat up. Peyper is a high profile ref and no doubt gets asked for fan pics from time to time, as do the players. Can't a guy let his hair down? I'd be far more concerned about Ben O'Keefe high-fiving one the Fiji players directly after they scored a try, but nothing seems to have been said about that?
Adam
Roar Guru
Yeah nah not a good look....