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Union boss charged over Bok emblem comments made at memorial service
By Rugby365
Eastern Province Rugby Union President Maasdorp Cannon has been charged by the South African Rugby Union (SARU).
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A SARU spokesman told rugby365com, that Canon has been slapped with seven charges following his comments against the SA Rugby leadership and the Springbok emblem during the memorial service of former prop Godfrey Thorne in February.
Cannon told the mourners during his eulogy to Thorn that the South African Rugby establishment and Springboks emblem are still very much racist.
“Stand up in the name of Godfrey, stand up. My plea is that we must turn the South African rugby landscape upside down,” Cannon was quoted as saying by City Press.
“I did not come back to support the South African rugby establishment, because it is still very much racist.
He added: “I know there are people who are happy to support the apartheid emblem, the racist emblem – the Springbok.
“My argument is, that emblem is equal to that flag that was waved when we made a compromise in 1995. It has the same expression; it’s racist.”
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The comments did not sit well with SA Rugby and consequently, Cannon will have to explain his actions in front of SARU.
Cannon’s charges include contravening the SARU Constitution and Code of Conduct.
Commenting on the charges, the outspoken Cannon revealed to Netwerk24 on Friday, that he looks forward to the discussion with SARU.
He admitted that he does not understand the charges and would really like to seek clarity.
“It is widely known that there are charges against me and at this moment I can’t say too much,” Cannon told Netwerk24.
“However I can say I do not understand the charges. I would like to ask SARU for more clarity on the case.”
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Cannon also stated he wants the case to be handled swiftly so that he can focus on his new role as EPRU President.
He was elected as President of the EPRU at the start of this month.
Maasdorp Cannon......who??
I find it difficult to believe that in this day and age some still find it appropriate to play the race card. Often, when individuals fail in self-achievement this card is hauled out to hide their failures!
When I watch our players of colour, see how they play for the Green and Gold, see how they strive to perform and make a difference to the Bok team, I am proud to call them Springboks. Isn't it nice when a Cheslin Kolbe, de Allende, Mbonambi, Mapimpi & S'bu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Elton Jantjies and others touches a ball and make one sit on the edge of one's seat with sheer joy and expectation that something is about to happen!
Maasdorp Cannon........who??
Eish, there we go again. The fact that the Springbok emblem was first used in 1906(when SA was a colony of the Great British Empire) on a tour to NZ , 40+ years before the disgusting policy called apartheid started seems not to matter. A famous brand of car transported all those apartheid Prime ministers & Presidents ......should we ban that make of car as well? Oops, I see all the presidents since then are also being transported in the same brand of vehicles. O, and apparently Bovril was a favourite of those in charge of apartheid... finally we can ban that as well.
The Springbok emblem has moved from the left side(heart) of the jersey to the right side....and smaller....
I wonder what Siya, Cheslin, Damian Willemse & de Allende, Mbonambi, Mapimpi & S'bu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Elton Jantjies, Warrick Gelant, Chester Williams (RIP) & the great Nelson Mandela feelings about this matter is or would have been. Because their opinions really matter.