Gloucester rugby release statement on Johan and Ruan Ackermann

Following an accusation regarding Johan Ackermann and Ruan Ackermann Gloucester Rugby have today confirmed that an altercation did take place in Cheltenham in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"Gloucester Rugby are aware that a small number of individuals are posting comments about the incident which are untrue."

"Gloucester Rugby do not condone violence in any shape or form and having reviewed the evidence, the club stands by the pair unreservedly."

Gloucester Rugby CEO Stephen Vaughan stated:

"Gloucester Rugby takes any allegations extremely seriously and we have conducted a full investigation in to this matter.

"Having spoken to Johan, Ruan, the club where the alleged incident took place, the police and other independent witnesses as well as viewing subsequent CCTV footage, I am completely satisfied that whilst an incident did take place, it was instigated by others and not by Johan and Ruan as has been incorrectly reported.

"Both Johan and Ruan have been upset and disappointed by the allegations, but do appreciate the support from Gloucester Rugby fans, players, colleagues, friends and family."

The father and son duo were linked to the incident via the below social media post initially before it was later picked up by the Daily Mail.

"This is a heartbreaking. This lad is my good friends brother, he has autism and was attacked unprovoked!!! This has now left him with a possible bleed on the brain. The scum who did this were 2 "men" who are supposed to be upstanding members of society.. but have now shown they are nothing more than oxygen wasting thugs. They are Ruan ackermann and his father johan ackermann. Police, media, everything possible is being done to get these 2 morons off the thrones they think they sit on, you are NOT above the law. Please share this as far as you can so we can get #justiceforharry !!!!! #autism #attack #unprovoked #ruanackermann #johanackermann #gloucesterrugby"