La Rochelle captain Gregory Alldritt said he felt disrespected by Leinster skipper James Ryan prior to the French side's Heineken Champions Cup final victory.
The duo met ahead of the game for the coin toss in the Aviva Stadium tunnel and the French back row believed Ryan, who was injured after half an hour of the 27-26 defeat, did not show the correct respect as they shook hands.
The defending champions found themselves 17-0 down after 12 minutes but slowly grew into the game and outscored Leinster 13 points to three in the second half to break Leinster hearts for the second year in a row.
The France international was asked if he felt there was a moment when he felt like they would win the game.
He replied: "There are several. Especially the toss: I think they didn't respect us, me already.
"They didn't look me in the eye while shaking my hand.
"It's something that we mustn't get used to it. We have a lot of values in this club and respect is part of it.
"At 17-0, we managed to reverse the trend and switch at half-time to 23-14.
"The dynamic was for us. We decided that the lost finals were over and that we want trophies. It's just incredible. It's a match that is played with 23 and not with 15."
The 26-year-old later told RTÉ Sport that it "was no big deal".
Director of rugby Ronan O'Gara said: "Yeah, I got word of it down on the pitch.
"Obviously, I have a close relationship with my captain.
"A bizarre action when they were going for the toss. Normally you engage eyes and no eyes were engaged. Greg was disappointed and let down."
The former Munster and Ireland out-half also felt that his team were treated differently than Leinster.
"Obviously Leinster were the home team in terms of accommodation for the families, post-match gigs.
"I think we're in Lansdowne [Rugby club house], we couldn’t get a room in this place [the Aviva].
"It’s disappointing on that front but we’ve got to accept that we’re seen as the little time, but that’s about to change."
Meanwhile, organisers EPCR have released a statement about reports of an incident that took place at half-time involving a Leinster coaching staff member, a non-playing member of the squad, a La Rochelle coaching staff member and a La Rochelle player.
They said: "EPCR is aware of reports of an incident at half-time during the Heineken Champions Cup final at the Aviva Stadium and the tournament organiser will be investigating this as soon as practicable. We have no further comment at this time."
On the game itself, O'Gara said: "It was incredibly good because we were on the ropes big time obviously. We were being steamrolled by a very impressive team.
"I knew Goody (Andrew Goodman, the Leinster assistant coach) would have a special one or two up his sleeve, but I didn't quite expect it after whatever 45 seconds, so it was a great play they opened their bag with.
"It was 7-0 within six minutes and then 12-0 and within 11 minutes, it’s 17-0 so you’re not long away from getting hosed, which obviously wasn’t the plan coming here.
‘"So we’ve a very interesting culture in our team. It’s changed a lot. The boys really care. I think it was easy to jump ship today. They did the opposite. It was a 23-man effort.
"They dug in. They showed serious resolve and I think we’re worthy champions."
