Ireland star Zebo claims racial abuse during Ulster game

IRISH rugby international Simon Zebo claims he was subjected to racist comments during Saturday’s Champions Cup match between Ulster and his Racing 92 club at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

The home team won the cru- cial tie 26-22 to take a step nearer a quarter-final berth in the competition.

However, in a tweet posted after the game, the wing said: “I hope my ears deceived me with some comments directed my way from the crowd. #Not on — Django wins in the end.”

Django Unchained is a Quentin Tarantino film about an African-American slave in the deep South. The movie is infamous for the amount of times the ‘n-word’ is heard.

Zebo (28) played up until halftime before being replaced due to an injured right leg, which was strapped up during the opening half.

The Belfast Telegraph contacted Ulster for a statement. It said that the matter will now be looked into.

It added: “Ulster Rugby condemns all forms of abuse and will work with the relevant parties to robustly investigate any complaints received.”

The PSNI said no formal complaints had been received.

Organisers of the Champions Cup told broadcaster RTE that no complaints had been made, but that it would be in contact with both Ulster and Racing 92.

Controversy arose in last August’s fixture between the two sides when Zebo taunted Ulster’s Michael Lowry by pointing at him as he scored a try.

He later apologised to the Ulster fly-half and also gave the player his shirt from the game.

Tweet: Simon Zebo