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Accused Crusaders at the centre of the McDonald's encounter named
The man at the centre of the altercation with Crusaders’ players is refusing to stay silent, threatening to release the video footage of the incident, whilst outing the accused on his social media account asking for an apology directly.
Although three players were allegedly involved, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson claims only one player, George Bridge, was involved in what was a “selfie gone wrong”.
“George who I’ve talked a lot about, he engaged with him … he’s really upset around everything that’s come out, he’s extremely, authentically genuine that there was nothing ever said,” Robertson said.
“George said ‘mate I just want to have a photo with you’ … there was no interaction with anyone else. That’s where the misinterpretation came. A selfie gone wrong really.
“He just can’t understand how it’s got to this platform.”
Robertson reiterated that “no homophobic words or gestures were used”.
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Crusaders’ pair George Bridge and David Havili were directly messaged by the accuser via his Instagram story in a taunting fashion.
To David Havili he wrote “remember us from the McDonald’s last night?? haha we found you… you and your teammates are going down.”
After George Bridge failed to respond to the accusser’s question he sent a second message saying “silence speaks volumes sweaty.. we’ll just move this conversation to higher powers since you’re clearly incapable x”
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Alexandros Paterimos took to social media to share details of the altercation yesterday and video of a man, believed to be the security advisor, has been circulated.
“We were attacked by members of the New Zealand rugby team in the McDonald’s on Long/kloof st last night. As we entered, we were met with jeering and sniggers from them. They then proceeded to record as a joke (also, upon looking on his phone screen, it was recording for either insta/snapchat),” Paterimos wrote on Instagram.
“We were met with homophobic slurs, limp wrists and high pitched voices which were clearly in jest.
The Crusaders strongly denied the incident in a statement issued yesterday, advising that the team will undertake an investigation once the player’s return.
“Allegations have been made via social media that there was a verbal altercation between members of the public and some Crusaders players who were out getting food after the match against the Stormers in Cape Town. The original post claimed players exhibited homophobic behaviour.
“The three players, team management and the South African-based security advisor with them, strongly refute the socialised account of what happened. They are devastated by the allegation and the implication of homophobic behaviour.”
