Tunnel or funnel: Leinster's official statement after claims players 'disrespected' Cardiff

Cardiff's last gasp 29-27 win over Leinster was a huge upset at Cardiff Arms Park, with the URC heavyweights suffering just their second defeat of the season and first loss to Cardiff in 11 years.

The Welsh club wildly celebrated their victory in front of a delirious crowd as a clutch 45-metre penalty by Jarrod Evans in the 83rd minute sailed through the uprights.

However after the celebrations died down, Cardiff fans begun to fume over suggestions that Leinster's players failed to appropriately congratulate their opponents by forming a tunnel to clap them off as a show of good sportsmanship.

The rumours that began circulating online from bystanders at the ground that the visitors failed to perform the tunnel and that forced Leinster Rugby to issue an official statement in response:

"We have seen some commentary that we disrespected Cardiff Rugby players at the final whistle," the statement read.

"With thanks to PremierSports TV a short clip posted below. Congratulations to Dai and his team. A great contest for the full 80!"

The Welsh fans were not convinced that Leinster's players formed an appropriate tunnel, with their attempt being labelled 'more of a funnel'. One fan asked 'would it be possible for more video evidence' to prove the entire team participated in the tunnel.

Hmm…doesn’t look like a tunnel to me. Clearly much wider at the top gradually narrowing towards the bottom. What we are looking at here is an extremely disrespectful…”funnel”. 🤨— Joe (@joesummer100) January 29, 2022

Any comment on the refusal to form a tunnel for Cardiff players at the end?

Is it a deliberate strategy to rile up Welsh fans ahead of next week's big 🇨🇮🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 clash?

As a lifelong Leinster fan, I'm distraught that the #RugbyValues that WE INVENTED, died a little bit tonight. SMH😢— Edward Jenkins (@edjenx) January 29, 2022

Would it be possible to obtain further video evidence, proving that the entire team participated in the tunnel and not just a handful of players? Thanks again for your commitment to the upholding of #RugbyValues.— Edward Jenkins (@edjenx) January 29, 2022