ULSTER PROBE
Abuse inquiry launched after Zebo’s tweet
EUROPEAN rugby chiefs are investigating an incident of possible racial abuse by Ulster supporters towards former Ireland star Simon Zebo.
Zebo, who moved to Racing 92 from Munster last summer, was a try-scorer for the French giants in their 26-22 defeat in Belfast on Saturday.
After the game, Zebo posted a loaded tweet citing abuse from the home crowd: ‘A tough place to play but great effort from the boys, two important points on the road. Also I hope my ears deceived me with some comments directed my way from the crowd #NotOn Django wins in the end.’
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) yesterday confirmed they have not received a formal complaint from Racing 92.
‘EPCR is in contact with both Ulster Rugby and Racing 92, and will be making no further comment at this point,’ said a tournament spokesman.
Racing 92 were unavailable for comment last night, but Ulster told Sportsmail: ‘Ulster Rugby condemns all forms of abuse and will work to robustly investigate any complaints received.’
ALLEGATIONS of possible racist abuse from sections of the Ravenhill crowd during the win over Racing 92 are the last thing the province needed. Ulster’s image, and that of large sections of their supporters, took a battering last season in the fallout from the Belfast rape trial. However, the rebuilding process, on and off the pitch, under Dan McFarland has been a good news story for Irish rugby this season. Thus, for Racing winger Simon Zebo (right) to suggest he was the victim of racist taunts from the crowd is hugely disappointing, to say the least. It is not the first time Ulster have been tainted in this fashion. There were similar allegations from Newport Dragons about Ulster fans in 2007 and against comments made by an Ulster player around the same time while Toulouse’s Trevor Brennan was driven to attack one of the province’s supporters by the abuse he received in 2005. Ravenhill is one of the most atmospheric rugby grounds on the European circuit and the actions of an idiotic minority should not damage Ulster’s collective reputation. If Zebo was subjected to racist taunts last Saturday, Ulster need to root out the perpetrator and impose a lifetime ban.