'Totally unacceptable' - Ulster head coach reacts to alleged Zebo abuse
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has called for information in order to get to the bottom of alleged abuse received by Racing 92's Ireland international Simon Zebo in their Champions Cup tie at the weekend.
The former Munster player tweeted in the aftermath of the game "I hope my ears deceived me with some comments directed my way from the crowd. #NotOn Django wins in the end."
Now McFarland, speaking to the BBC said: "We are aware of Simon's social media postings. If that is true, it is totally unacceptable. As an organisation, we put inclusivity right at the forefront of what we are - that's across everything."
"If there's anybody out there who knows what happened and if something happened and can give information on that, we want to know because nobody should have to put up with that.
Continue reading below...
Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide - Fukuoka
RugbyPass contacted the EPCR on Monday who said there had been no change in the situation since they released a statement on Sunday which stated: ""EPCR has not received a formal complaint from Racing 92 regarding any alleged case of verbal abuse of one of the club’s players during yesterday’s Heineken Champions Cup, Pool 4 match at the Kingspan Stadium.
"EPCR is in contact with both Ulster Rugby and Racing 92, and will be making no further comment at this point."
On Sunday Ulster also released a statement saying "Ulster Rugby condemns all forms of abuse and will work with the relevant parties to robustly investigate any complaints received."
Zebo scored a try in Racing's 26-22 defeat at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday, a result which kept Ulster's knockout hopes alive, however the French club remain three points ahead going into the final round of matches.
You may also like: Exceptional Stories: Ian McKinley
Latest Comments
Come on, RugbyPass. You let a notorious homer grade his own beloved team?
Anyway. I rate Barrett, and I’m one of those who think no one else but him and Mo’unga should have ever dressed the ABs’ 10 jersey as long as both are still active, but he wasn’t a 9.5. Barrett is the best game controller of all contemporary ABs’ first fives. Kiwi fans are obsessed with ball running 10s and many don’t realize, that there are other boxes a “first five” needs to tick, than instinctive genius attacking rugby. The DMac lovers don’t seem to notice, that his poor tactical decisions costed ABs some games this year, granting tries to both Pumas and Springboks. As for BB, just review the miniseries against England earlier this year. In one of the games, Barrett came on the field, and literally turned the tables by putting immense pressure on the English through clever kicking. It’s not sexy, but it wins games and championships. Ask Handré Pollard, who started his international career as a ball running 10/12, and then turned himself into a game controller.
Anyway x2. 10 is a perfect performance, that couldn’t have been better. 10 is Dusautoir in the 2011 RWC finals. Barrett wasn’t next door to a performance, that couldn’t have been better as much as I rate him.
Go to commentsToo many boks held up in when touching down - Siya and Fassi should've scored
At least the line-out is getting better. A good tour but a soft finish in H2 in this game I think
Go to comments