“It’s horrible to see that in this day and age” – Johnny Sexton on Edwin Edogbo racial abuse
Unacceptable.
When Edwin Edogbo should have been celebrating a breakthrough moment, the conversation instead turned to something far uglier.
The young forward’s big day was overshadowed by racial abuse online – and Johnny Sexton didn’t hide his frustration when asked about it.
“Look, it’s horrible to see that in this day and age, it still exists like that,” Sexton said.
It was a blunt assessment, and one that will resonate across Irish rugby. What should have been a moment of pride quickly became a reminder that, even now, some lines are still being crossed.
Sexton, who has seen it all over the course of his career with Ireland and at club level, admitted he wasn’t sure how much of the abuse Edogbo had actually seen – but that hardly softens the reality.
“In terms of how he is, he’s good,” Sexton said.
“I don’t think he would have paid too much attention to it, and I don’t know if he would have even seen too much of it.
“He’s a pretty humble guy, really level-headed, but it’s not right, some of the comments that were made. I feel for him, I feel for his family. It marred a pretty special day for him.”
That final line cuts deepest.
For a young player breaking through at the highest level, those first milestones are meant to be unforgettable for the right reasons. Instead, Edogbo’s moment was clouded by behaviour that has no place in the sport – or anywhere.
Sexton’s comments reflect a wider frustration within the Irish game. Rugby has long prided itself on respect and inclusivity, yet incidents like this show there is still work to be done, particularly in the online space where anonymity often fuels the worst excesses.
What stands out most is Sexton’s emphasis on the human side of it all. Not just Edogbo the player – but Edogbo the person. His family. The pride. The emotion of a special day.
That’s what was taken away.
The hope now is that the focus shifts back to the rugby. Edogbo’s performance, his development, his future in green. Because if there’s one thing clear from Sexton’s words, it’s this: the noise won’t define him.
But it should concern all of us that it’s still there.
