{"id":293125,"date":"2023-10-26T15:24:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T15:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=293125"},"modified":"2023-10-26T15:24:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T15:24:39","slug":"maro-itoje-praises-courageous-tom-curry-for-reporting-mbongeni-mbonambi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/rugby-union\/maro-itoje-praises-courageous-tom-curry-for-reporting-mbongeni-mbonambi\/","title":{"rendered":"Maro Itoje praises \u2018courageous\u2019 Tom Curry for reporting Mbongeni Mbonambi"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Maro Itoje has praised Tom Curry\u2019s courage in making his allegation of racist abuse against Mbongeni Mbonambi as England attacked World Rugby for failing to allow the \u201cvictim to have his voice heard\u201d.<\/p>\n

Curry claimed to referee Ben O\u2019Keeffe in the first half of Saturday\u2019s World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa that he had been called a \u201cwhite c***\u201d by Springboks hooker Mbonambi.<\/p>\n

The Rugby Football Union subsequently disclosed to the inquiry that Curry \u201chad also been the victim of the same abuse, from the same player\u201d when the rivals clashed at Twickenham in November.<\/p>\n

A statement released by SA Rugby on Friday afternoon revealed that Mbonambi \u201cdenied the allegations from the outset\u201d \u2013 the first time his innocence had been voiced in public \u2013 and World Rugby has closed its investigation into both claims due to insufficient evidence.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The focus of their anger is that the case will not be heard by an independent disciplinary hearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe RFU expressed great disappointment at World Rugby\u2019s decision and that bitter disappointment is shared by Tom, his teammates, the management and everyone associated with this team,\u201d Borthwick said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s be clear \u2013 Tom Curry has done nothing wrong. Somebody has said something to Tom Curry, Tom\u2019s reported it.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy making this decision World Rugby has denied the victim of the situation \u2013 Tom Curry \u2013 to have his voice heard. That\u2019s where the disappointment really comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The saga has overshadowed the build-up to Friday\u2019s bronze final between England and Argentina and the final between New Zealand and South Africa 24 hours later.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Itoje revealed that England have rallied around the Sale flanker, who has been thrust into the eye of the storm.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom is the innocent party in this respect \u2013 as Steve said he has done nothing wrong and he is the victim of the situation. For him to have this abuse is disgraceful,\u201d Itoje said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom has been tremendous. He\u2019s been courageous to do what he\u2019s done in the manner he\u2019s done it, through proper channels, conducting himself in the manner he should be proud of.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely as teammates, we are proud of him. To do that isn\u2019t easy. To make a statement like that isn\u2019t easy. To call out stuff like that isn\u2019t easy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you\u2019ve seen this week, when you do something courageous like that, you put yourself out there. He\u2019s been absolutely fantastic in that regard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn terms of how we\u2019ve tried to support him, we\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s a strong man, he has a strong personality, a strong will, and he\u2019s been great throughout the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mbonambi starts the World Cup final against New Zealand after being picked in the front row as the only established hooker in South Africa\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have spoken to him, I sent him a message. He is someone I respect,\u201d Kolisi said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can take it as players, when it comes to you it\u2019s fine, but when families are involved it\u2019s different. I have let him know we are supporting him, we are thinking of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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