WIGAN RACISM ROW

RUGBY LEAGUE was rocked by an allegation of onfield racism just hours before joining sport’s social media boycott last night, with the incident overshadowing Hull’s Super League clash with Wigan at the DW Stadium. Hull forward Andre Savelio complained to the referee that he had been racially abused by Wigan’s Tony Clubb towards the end of the first half in a fiery encounter. Referee James Child put the incident on report before continuing with the game and Clubb is likely to face a disciplinary investigation from the RFL. The 33-year-old former England international was not on the field at the time of the incident. Savelio was born in New Zealand but moved to England at the age of one and has a British passport. The 26-year-old of Samoan descent has previously played for St Helens and Warrington before joining Hull two years ago. ‘As non-executive director of the RFL and chair of the RFL’s Inclusion Board, I am proud to see rugby league joining the sporting world in sending out a very clear message that online hate and abuse will not be tolerated,’ said Dr Rimla Akhtar. ‘I encourage all of the rugby league community to join us for this weekend’s social media boycott and to support our continuing efforts to fight this evil.’ Wigan won the game 16-14 to go top of the table.