Rugby player guilty of using the k-word
A Durban Collegians rugby player who called an opponent the k-word has been found guilty at a KZN Rugby Union hearing.
|||A Durban Collegians rugby player who called a black player from another club the k-word during a match last month has been found guilty at a KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union (KZNRU) hearing.
Graham MacKenzie, president of KZNRU, said the player was exercising his right to an appeal and the union had to wait until after the appeal to comment.
The appeal is expected to be heard next week.
He said the union had taken seriously the allegations of racism levelled at the Collegians player and that the hearing was like a “mini court case”.
In recent weeks, allegations of racism have rocked KZN club rugby after two players and a coach from three different clubs said they were called the k-word in league and cup matches.
The targeted players were from eManzimtoti Rugby Club and Varsity College, while a “coloured” assistant coach at College Rovers was allegedly called a “half-k” during a match.
A hearing was held last night for the alleged incident involving the coloured assistant coach at College Rovers.
The assistant coach did not want to speak to the Daily News until after it had been completed.
Mackenzie said all the hearings and findings should be wrapped up by next week.
The first incident occurred in May during a Moor Cup match between Varsity College and Durban Collegians when the hooker from Varsity College was allegedly insulted.
Punch
The black Varsity College hooker who was allegedly insulted, allegedly threw a punch at a Collegians player after the match.
A criminal case was opened against him.
The matter was settled between the clubs, and they withdrew their complaints against each other.
In an e-mail to the Daily News, chairman of Durban Collegians, Ian Losinsky, said that they denied any allegationsof racial slurs and said the Daily News report on the matter was “irresponsible journalism”.
“We are aware of the allegations and take them very seriously… Two matters are sub judice and are under the inquiry process and they are being disputed.
“The first incident involved allegations of racial slurs from both teams (racial slurs against a white player by a black player from Varsity College too), not just from Durban Collegians.
“There was also an allegation of a racial slur against the Varsity College senior coach. All allegations were denied by the parties involved and the evidence was inconclusive, and the disputes were settled between them.
“The article insinuates that the parties agreed to withdraw charges based upon the assault charge against the Varsity College hooker.
“This is not correct at all,” he said.
KZN club rugby players and coaches have called on the union to ban the perpetrators from rugby and impose heavy sanctions on Durban Collegians. - Daily News