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Exeter issue statement over links to Ugo Monye's accused racial abuser
By Josh Raisey
Exeter Chiefs have issued a statement to say the accused racial abuser of Ugo Monye has "no connection" to the club.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Angus Beukes will go on trial in March next year accused of racially abusing former England international Monye at an Exeter match in November last year.
Beukes, 32, of Cape Town, South Africa, denied a charge of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared before Exeter Magistrates’ Court by video-link on Wednesday.
In the wake of the announcement of the trial, it emerged that the accused had played alongside an employee of Exeter as recently as February for New Cross RFC in Kingsteignton, Devon.
In response to these links, Exeter swiftly issued this statement: "The club can confirm that the individual accused in the racism incident with Ugo Monye has no connection to Exeter Rugby Club or our subsidiary organisations.
"The club were unaware of any prior connection between the accused and a member of our community team. The two played rugby together for a local club for approximately three months, from October 2023 until the individual accused left the country to return to his native South Africa.
"That connection did not extend beyond the local club in question and is of no relevance to Exeter Rugby Club or the work undertaken by our member of staff. The individual accused was not a regular visitor to Sandy Park.
"The incident, which took place outside of Sandy Park Stadium grounds following the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester in November 2023, was swiftly dealt with by the club and security on-site.
"The club then worked with Devon and Cornwall Police to ensure that any relevant information, statements and evidence were all given to those investigating the incident.
"Exeter Chiefs have a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviour of this kind, and the club acted to ensure the incident was dealt with by the relevant authorities."
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Latest Comments
Nah hes a journeyman. Right call
Go to commentsAgreed for the most part. And perhaps Dmac needed a period were he is the 'Hobson's choice' too.
Yes and no, they main concern I had from the situation is Razor didn't really explain why they had developed differing opinions, had he? I've seen too many things happen in life to jump the gun. Fall all we know it was a locked in choice before they found the difference last year and played out this year to see if they were recoverable. I can certainly see where it would be a valid criticism to suggest he spent too much time reviewing his players tripping overseas and not enough work with his team at that time. But things like Tony Brown not even being contacted in the lead up to the naming of the squad are endemic in the union, and for much just as much blame should be laid on someone like Wayne Smith. Some like Mitch would have been aval at the same time too I'd think.
Ultimately I see MacDs time at the Blues much as I saw Ian Fosters time at the Chiefs. Heavily overshadowed by their successors but you could find something good in there if you wanted. Same here. This will play out.
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