Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont accused of ‘insulting Catalans Dragons directors’

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has been accused of ‘insulting Catalans Dragons directors and staff’ following his side’s win in Perpignan on Saturday.

Beaumont has come in for huge amounts criticism from rugby league fans over the last couple of days for crashing a live interview with head coach Adrian Lam after the game. After leading his side to a 26-12 win over the out of form Dragons, Lam spoke to Sky Sports from the side of the Stade Gilbert Brutus pitch.

However, his words were somewhat overshadowed by Beaumont and a Leigh fan with a drum, who became the topic of conversation for those watching at home. The owner could be seen dancing around over the shoulder of Lam, celebrating his side’s win and looking visibly worse for wear.

Beaumont has been widely slated for that moment with many believing it demonstrated a lack of professionalism from someone with such influence in the game.

However, according to a report in French news outlet L’Independant, the Leigh owner insulted those behind the scenes at Catalans by not responding to an invitation to attend a post-match meal. It is claimed that Catalans extend an invitation to every club’s management to meet up after the contest, but their invite went unanswered.

Leigh Leopards up to third

While the owner’s antics may have been a talking point after the game, they don’t detract from what was an important win for the Leopards. After seeing Leeds Rhinos falter at St Helens on Friday, Lam’s side now sit third in the Super League table, three points behind Wigan Warriors.

They’ll be looking to consolidate that spot this Friday when they take on Leeds at Headingley.

Beaumont has since travelled to Ireland to begin a 600 mile charity bike ride. The Leigh owner will cycle the length of Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way, starting in the south and ending at Malin Head, which is the northernmost point of the country.

The challenge is expected to take six days with funds being raised for Candlelighters, the charity which Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell recently shone a light on after revealing his grandson’s leukaemia diagnosis.