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'Tom is the innocent party': Maro Itoje defends Tom Curry
By PA
Maro Itoje has praised Tom Curry’s courage in making his allegation of racist abuse against Mbongeni Mbonambi as England attacked World Rugby for failing to allow the “victim to have his voice heard”.
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Curry claimed to referee Ben O’Keeffe in the first half of Saturday’s World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa that he had been called a “white c***” by Springboks hooker Mbonambi.
The Rugby Football Union subsequently disclosed to the inquiry that Curry “had also been the victim of the same abuse, from the same player” when the rivals clashed at Twickenham in November.
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A statement released by SA Rugby on Friday afternoon revealed that Mbonambi “denied the allegations from the outset” – the first time his innocence had been voiced in public – and World Rugby has closed its investigation into both claims due to insufficient evidence.
With the matter unresolved, a cloud hangs over each player heading into the final weekend of the World Cup and England head coach Steve Borthwick has joined the RFU in condemning the outcome of the inquiry.
The focus of their anger is that the case will not be heard by an independent disciplinary hearing.
“The RFU expressed great disappointment at World Rugby’s decision and that bitter disappointment is shared by Tom, his teammates, the management and everyone associated with this team,” Borthwick said.
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“Let’s be clear – Tom Curry has done nothing wrong. Somebody has said something to Tom Curry, Tom’s reported it.
“By making this decision World Rugby has denied the victim of the situation – Tom Curry – to have his voice heard. That’s where the disappointment really comes in.”
The saga has overshadowed the build-up to Friday’s bronze final between England and Argentina and the final between New Zealand and South Africa 24 hours later.
Curry will win his 50th cap when he lines up against the Pumas, despite being subjected to extensive online abuse since his allegation against Mbonambi was picked up by the ref mic during the 16-15 defeat by the world champions.
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Itoje revealed that England have rallied around the Sale flanker, who has been thrust into the eye of the storm.
“Tom is the innocent party in this respect – as Steve said he has done nothing wrong and he is the victim of the situation. For him to have this abuse is disgraceful,” Itoje said.
“Tom has been tremendous. He’s been courageous to do what he’s done in the manner he’s done it, through proper channels, conducting himself in the manner he should be proud of.
“Definitely as teammates, we are proud of him. To do that isn’t easy. To make a statement like that isn’t easy. To call out stuff like that isn’t easy.
“As you’ve seen this week, when you do something courageous like that, you put yourself out there. He’s been absolutely fantastic in that regard.
“In terms of how we’ve tried to support him, we’ve just tried to be there for him in any way he needs. If he needs to talk about anything, we are always there for him.
“But he’s a strong man, he has a strong personality, a strong will, and he’s been great throughout the week.”
Mbonambi starts the World Cup final against New Zealand after being picked in the front row as the only established hooker in South Africa’s squad.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi revealed that he has been in contact with Curry to show his support in response to the online witch-hunt to which the Sale flanker has been subjected.
“I have spoken to him, I sent him a message. He is someone I respect,” Kolisi said.
“We can take it as players, when it comes to you it’s fine, but when families are involved it’s different. I have let him know we are supporting him, we are thinking of him.”
Curry story was distasteful …”curry is the innocent party perhaps bongi was guilty
Its called presumption of innocence
Did England actually formally cite Mbonambi within the required time frame, or didn’t they? I can find no published evidence of the formal citing. Certainly not on the WR website. If they did not, why are they crying after the door has shut on them?
Stop the BS not one of the other 28 players heard anything, the ref didn’t hear anything, did Bongi take him into a conner and say Wit Kant, Tom tried to get Bongi yellow carded when the ref did not comply the UK propaganda media jumped on the bandwagon.
Yes 👍 UK tabloid machine in full swing. They failed on the field. All about English kaaaant win because of what …Bongi for president. South Africa is the biggest victim of Colonialism. So let them cry..cry babies with RFU infront
I think Curry genuinely believes Bongi swore at him.
I also don’t think Bongi racially abused him. This would alienate him with his white teammates.
We’ll never know what really happened, but this is the sort of thing that should be settled off the field, possibly with a chat to the opposing captain or between the coaches, whther something was said or not.
Very childish the way it was handled on the field, and the media circus it has become isn’t helping.
Time to zip it Maro and play rugger. Nothing cynical, just normal tough rugger.
Has been player anyway now really gatvol of this BS.
Maybe Bongi is innocent too - or does Rugbypass only embrace ala Matt Williams, a one-eyed look at events?
Would you rather the opposite and have the site use legal terms like allegedly everywhere.. I wouldn’t, ive seen it before and its a pain to read through.
He has been so brave… honestly I don’t know how he did it… enjoy third place playoff. Vamos los pumas!
Maybe Bongeni is angry over a bunch of English appropriating a slave negro spirtual for their rugby games?
THEY KANT play on the field now failed in playing by the book. Next person to comment will likely be Sincler
Are these guys for real? Poor Curry and how brave he has been during this whole ordeal and how disappointed the RFU is with the outcome.
Poms just have to be in the spotlight don’t they…
All jokes aside, there’s nothing acceptable from the online abuse Curry has been on the receiving end from, and he is a victim in that regard. But lets get real here, all the evidence available tends to indicate that Curry falsely accused Bongi due to misunderstanding of a language, and there’s nothing odd about shouting “wyd kant” or even “wit kant” (either if the opposition is wearing white kit or if theres predetermined calls which commonly uses colours as descriptive) on the pitch. So in terms of the issue brought up, and the evidence available (at least to the public) , Bongi is the real victim om a false and extremely serious allegation.
The bottom line is get on with it, hope online abuse stops, and focus on the weekend’s rugby instead of last weekend.
Bokke bo!
RFU as a corporate entity making statement like that is ruthless. What were they expecting if there is no evidence to support Curry
s claim. They can`t play in the final and now wants to have hand in it. Barnes is already there mates haha. They want to shine for the wrong reasons. Itoje bring evidence to show abuse. WR already did an investigation. Perhaps you wanna appeal to shine in the RWC final. Sorry England that failed. Borthwick must go and fix his troll nose and concentrate on rugby.Yster Mark
Otoje should start by addressing his stance on colonialism. There is no evidence of racial abuse. They lost the game and is sore losers. Grow up Mario you are not from England anyway
Born in Camden, London.
And his name is Maro.
And surname is Itoje
And his stance on colonialism has stuff all to do with a racial abuse accusation
This “what-about-ism” is embarrasing.
I’m surprised there has been no chat about the awful tackle by Curry that has badly injured the Fijian - were there apologies?
Why don’t you guys grow up, your false claim is seriously over now! Even the corrupt WR could not find anything! Enough is enough already. Priceless media stunt