WORLD RUGBY has launched an investigation into referee Jaco Peyper after he appeared to mock sent-off France star Sebastien Vahaamahina in a photo with Wales fans. The lock was shown a straight red in yesterday’s thrilling quarter-final after elbowing Dragons star Aaron Wainwright. In the photo posted hours after Wales’ 20-19 victory, Peyper can be […]
WORLD RUGBY has launched an investigation into referee Jaco Peyper after he appeared to mock sent-off France star Sebastien Vahaamahina in a photo with Wales fans.
The lock was shown a straight red in yesterday’s thrilling quarter-final after elbowing Dragons star Aaron Wainwright.
In the photo posted hours after Wales’ 20-19 victory, Peyper can be seen raising his elbow and laughing with Wales fans.
He is now fighting for his tournament future and reputation after the snap went viral.
And bosses have shown their concern over the severity of the photo after opening an investigation into it.
A statement from Japan 2019 chiefs said: “World Rugby is aware of a picture on social media of referee Jaco Peyper with a group of Wales fans taken after last night’s quarter-final between Wales and France in Oita.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further while we are establishing the facts.”
Serge Simon, vice-president of the French rugby federation, said if it the photo was genuine then it was “shocking”.
One fan online questioned Peyper’s bias after seeing the snap.
They wrote: “Card fully justified, but after this photo I do wonder about the impartiality of the man in black.”
Another said: “If this photo is not a fake, it is particularly disturbing.”
Peyper was in charge of his 50th Test match as Wales sealed a semi-final against South Africa thanks to Ross Moriarty’s late try.
The referee also courted controversy with his awarding of Moriarty’s 74th-minute try.
He initially gave Warren Gatland’s men five points but then took it to the TMO to see if Tomos Williams had passed the ball forward when ripping it from the French.
But it could not conclusively be proven the ball went forward and so the score stood.
Wales will clash with the Sprinboks on Sunday morning with a spot in the final at stake.
