World Rugby has discovered there’s “inadequate proof” to cost South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi over the alleged racial abuse of an England participant throughout the World Cup semi-final.
Tom Curry claimed hooker Mbonambi racially abused him throughout final Saturday’s match on the Stade de France.
Nevertheless, the tournament’s governing board has investigated and closed the case, that means Mbonambi is free to play within the World Cup ultimate on Saturday when South Africa face New Zealand.
World Rugby revealed it has additionally been investigating one other allegation which arose from the rivals’ conflict at Twickenham in November 2022.
An announcement mentioned: “Having thought of all of the accessible proof, together with match footage, audio and proof from each groups, the governing physique has decided that there’s inadequate proof presently to proceed with fees.
“You will need to notice that World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good religion, and that there is no such thing as a suggestion that the allegation was intentionally false or malicious.”
Curry made the accusation to referee Ben O’Keeffe throughout the second half of the match.
He requested the official what he ought to do about it, to which O’Keeffe replied: “Nothing, please. I will be on it.”
After the match, he replied “yeah” when requested if Mbonambi had mentioned one thing he should not have, however declined to disclose what was allegedly mentioned.
Mbonambi refused to shake Curry’s hand after the conflict, which the Springboks gained with a penalty two minutes from the top.
England Rugby ‘deeply dissatisfied’
England’s Rugby Soccer Union (RFU) has mentioned it’s “deeply dissatisfied” by the choice to not put the proof earlier than an Impartial Disciplinary Panel.
It additionally condemned the “disgusting abuse he and his household has acquired on social media” since Curry “had the braveness to place unacceptable behaviour that has no place in society or on the rugby subject, within the public eye”.
The assertion continued: “Abuse of any sort will not be acceptable and goes in opposition to the core values of rugby.
“It’s important that it’s protected and acceptable for everybody concerned in rugby union to lift considerations, and the RFU proceed to encourage everybody to report any unacceptable behaviour within the sport.”
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South Africa Rugby has additionally responded, saying it has religion in Mbonambi’s honesty.
Its assertion learn: “Any type of racism is abhorrent to SA Rugby and the Springbok workforce whose goal is to do all the things in its energy to help in uniting our various and multicultural nation.
“Bongi Mbonambi is an skilled, revered and embellished Check participant and, for sure, denied the allegations from the outset. SA Rugby has absolute religion within the honesty and integrity of Bongi.”