Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi cleared to play in Rugby World Cup final
PARIS (AP) — South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi was picked to play in the Rugby World Cup final after World Rugby found no evidence he racially abused an England player.
Mbonambi was selected on Thursday for the World Cup final against New Zealand on Saturday. His participation could have been jeopardized if he’d been found guilty of misconduct.
The case started after England flanker Tom Curry complained of being subject to a racial slur during the Rugby World Cup semifinal against South Africa last weekend at the Stade de France.
“Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation,” World Rugby said in a statement on Thursday.
“Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.”
World Rugby added it believes Curry made his allegations “in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious.”
Curry, who was selected to play against Argentina in the third-place game on Friday, has received the support of the England team and his Sale Sharks club this week after a deluge of abuse on social media.
“World Rugby is also concerned by the social media abuse that both players have been subjected to this week,” the governing body added. “There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and World Rugby urges fans to embrace the sport’s values of respect, integrity and solidarity.”
___
AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby