Toulon sorry for Martin Castrogiovanni rant over Richard Cockerill
Wednesday 10 December 2014 16:08, UK
Toulon will write Leicester a letter of apology after prop Martin Castrogiovanni launched a foul-mouthed attack on Richard Cockerill.
Last year, Castrogiovanni ended seven seasons with Leicester in acrimonious circumstances - with Tigers head coach Cockerill suggesting the 33-year-old Italy star had been lured away by the improved financial packages on offer in France.
Last weekend, Castrogiovanni used an interview in the aftermath of Toulon's 25-21 European Champions Cup defeat at Welford Road to make his feelings on Cockerill clear - using several expletives in an astonishing appraisal of the former England hooker - and Toulon have moved to defuse the situation.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal said: "I was very surprised by Martin's behaviour. This is not the boy I know. It was clear that he was disappointed, but he used bad language. I did not expect that.
"We are sending Leicester and Richard Cockerill a letter of apology and I will be meeting the player with Bernard Laporte [the Toulon head coach] to decide whether to take any action. Some form of sanction cannot be ruled out."
Leicester also complained of an earlier incident during the game itself, with Toulon full-back Delon Armitage allegedly verbally abusing a member of the home crowd.
The French giants later released the following statement: "Toulon have taken note of the decision of EPCR to open an inquiry after Leicester decided to report the behaviour of Martin Castrogiovanni and Delon Armitage during and after the Leicester/Toulon match on Sunday.
"Leicester Tigers have reported to EPCR two incidents which the EPCR disciplinary officer is currently looking into in order to determine, among other things, if it is appropriate to take action for misconduct.
"The first incident concerns the allegations that Delon Armitage made insults towards or in the proximity of spectators during the match.
"The second incident concerns the allegations that Martin Castrogiovanni criticised the Leicester Tigers sporting director, Richard Cockerill, by using offensive language, when addressing representatives of the media after the match."
Reigning European champions Toulon host Leicester in the return fixture on Saturday but reports emerged on Tuesday evening suggesting Castrogiovanni will be suspended by his club and therefore unable to play.
