Diamond says matter over row is ‘closed’
SALE director of rugby Steve Diamond has drawn a line under his post-match confrontation with a journalist at the weekend.
Diamond will avoid a Rugby Football Union investigation into an angry row which took place after the Sharks’ victory at Gloucester on Saturday after the journalist involved, Sam Peters, opted against making an official complaint.
Diamond did not want to be drawn on the issue yesterday and said his focus was purely on Friday’s home match against Premiership champions Saracens.
Asked if he considered the matter closed, Diamond said: “Yeah, closed. We move on. We think of Saracens.”
Video and audio of the confrontation had circulated online, with Diamond asking to speak to Peters ‘outside’ and allegedly grabbing his dictaphone during a heated verbal dispute.
Diamond risked a charge of bringing the game into disrepute but the RFU would not act without a complaint.
Peters, who works for the Independent and Sunday Times, has been highly critical of Diamond in the past but revealed on social media on Monday that he had ‘decided not to pursue this matter further.’ The confrontation overshadowed an impressive 30-15 victory for Sale which saw them move to seventh in the Gallagher Premiership ahead of Friday’s appointment with second-placed Saracens.
Diamond will avoid a Rugby Football Union investigation into an angry row Ian Parker