Martin Castrogiovanni in happier times © Getty Images

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Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill has described Martin Castrogiovanni's rant against him and the club as "disgusting".

In an expletive-packed rant, Castrogiovanni criticised Cockerill and Leicester for the manner in which his departure from the club was handled. The outburst came in the wake of Leicester's win over Toulon on Sunday, a match which saw Castrogiovanni return to Welford Road for the first time since he left to join the Top 14 side ahead of the 2013-14 season.

Toulon Statement

• "Toulon has decided to carry out its own inquiry and could sanction the players if it deems it necessary. The Red and Black club has taken the opportunity to apologise to Leicester Tigers for the discomfort caused by these events.
• "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."

The outburst saw Castrogiovanni suspended for three days and reportedly handed a fine by Toulon and he could face further action with the organisers of the European Rugby Champions Cup weighing up whether to take disciplinary action against him.

Cockerill, talking to Sky Sports, said he was shocked by Castrogiovanni's tirade and said the prop should face sanctions.

"I'm disappointed really, in professional sport people move on for all sorts of reasons. He left a year early from his contract, he wasn't getting picked. He wanted to move on because he was of an age where he wanted to play and I put a price on him. We agreed a deal and he moved on. We dealt with it in a professional manner.

"I was amazed when he called his own press conference and off he went. I'm disappointed he's sullied what has been a fantastic playing career here. He was an icon of the club and a fan's favourite. There're lots of things about this place but one thing it isn't, is an amateur club and for him to say that was disgusting. He needs to make sure he apologises publically for that and I'm sure he'll get disciplined in the right manner."