A Welsh rugby club has asked the Welsh Rugby Union and police to investigate alleged racist and homophobic comments made by players towards a teammate.
Pontarddulais RFC have said they “will co-operate fully with these investigations”.
I’ve turned gay during lockdown apparently. pic.twitter.com/E1VJswOPMq
— Duvelli Appujelly (@GeorgeMbofana1) June 5, 2020
The west Wales club added the players concerned “have been suspended until the outcome of the investigation”.
“As club officials and management committee we know our initial reaction was flawed, now is not the time for defensiveness and we are sincerely sorry for causing any additional distress.
— Duvelli Appujelly (@GeorgeMbofana1) June 5, 2020
“Incidents and language of the sort we have seen here are ugly expressions of deeper prejudices and inequalities, and as a club who is proud of our role in our community it is clear to us that we have a role in tackling those underlying issues.
“We have a duty to our players and our community to make sure our club is a safe, welcoming place and over the next few days we will be seeking guidance from the WRU and others on how we can take meaningful action.”
LIST | 5 players from abroad who could be capped by England in the future
These five have shown enough ability or promise to suggest they may be future England stars in waiting.
Foreign-born stars, such as Nathan Hughes and the Vunipola brothers, have already shown how integral they can be for the Red Rose after making the step up to International rugby.
Here are five players who could pull on the white jersey in the future:
1. Ruan Ackermann – Gloucester (South Africa)
His Dad Johan Ackermann, who departed as Gloucester boss for Japan earlier this month, confirmed that his son will be staying with the Cherry & Whites to persue international honours, and has already been in contact with Eddie Jones. The imposing number eight qualify for England on residency grounds in August 2020 — just four months before World Rugby’s new eligibility laws kick in.
