Racist row rugby club blast back
Carrick: No abuse from us
A trophy winning rugby club, who have been accused of racial abuse, have rubbished the allegations.
Carrick Rugby Club were claimed to have racially abused Irvine RFC’s English head coach and South African players during a cup final.
The Maybole club have been reported to the game’s Murrayfield bosses who are set to probe the claims.
In a strongly worded statement, Carrick said they completely denied all the allegations and will cooperate fully with the SRU to ensure the integrity of rugby is maintained.
The statement reads: “In response to a number of articles published following our BT Shield match last Saturday, Carrick Rugby would like to reiterate our mission statement which is to play a leading role in the development of rugby within the Maybole and Girvan communities. To instil an ethos of ambition, enjoyment and achievement for all.
“This is something every one of the girls, boys, adult players, members, committee and supporters of Carrick Rugby take very seriously.
“We are proud members of the Ayrshire and Scottish r ugby commu n i t y , completely deny all allegations of racial abuse and will cooperate fully with the SRU to establish the facts of the allegations and ensure the integrity of rugby is maintained.”
Director of rugby John McHarg added: “Carrick RFC have been asked by the Scottish Rugby Union to provide information of the events surrounding our match against Irvine.
“We are in the process of compiling this report and until the SRU complete their investigation there will be no further comment from Carrick RFC other than directing you to the Carrick Rugby website.”
Carrick beat Irvine 2720 to clinch the BT West Regional Shield and are now only two games from repeating their finest ever hour when they won the National Shield at Murrayfield last April.
But their win at Marress was immediately tarnished when Irvine made claims of racial abuse and asked Scottish Rugby’s discipline panel to review.
Irvine claimed: “During the final, there were several exchanges between both teams.
“No rma l l y t h e s e exchanges are taken in good humour, but when these exchanges cross the border into racial abuse then Irvine RFC will not tolerate this.
“During and after the game, certain phrases were used towards the Irvine head coach and South African players, which is simply not acceptable.
“I r vine RFC wi l l not accept this type of behaviour from any visitor, or for that matter, anyone associated with the club.
“The persons in question will not be invited back to any further games hosted by Irvine RFC.
“Racial abuse, or any type of abuse for that matter, has no place in rugby, or any sports in general.
“On a similar note, those associated with the club are reminded that the use of social media to direct inappropriate content towards members of other clubs will also not be tolerated.
“Sc o t t i s h Rugby ’ s core values are respect, leadership, achievement, e n g a g e m e n t a n d enjoyment.”
If Carrick are found to have a case to answer, it will be heard at the SRU’s disciplinary panel’s next meeting early next month.