You are in > manchester.com  > News > Care, Strettle and Brown given Quins support

Rugby Union

Care, Strettle and Brown given Quins support

16/07/2008

Harlequins have backed their trio of players who were named in the Rugby Football Union's report into the 'sex scandal' on the recent New Zealand tour.

The Guinness Premiership side said they "would like to make clear their continued support" for Danny Care, David Strettle and Mike Brown in the wake of the report from RFU disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett.

The report cleared young scrum-half Care of any wrongdoing whatsoever, while Strettle was also exonerated but given a warning as to his future conduct over the unrelated 'kiss and tell' newspaper reports involving model Sophie Lewis.

Full-back Brown was fined £1,000 and received a warning for staying out all night and turning up late for a physiotherapist appointment the following morning.

But all three men escaped police charges over the alleged incident after the unnamed appellant declined to lodge a formal complaint.

And the club has lent its full backing to the players, saying the "serious criminal allegations that were widely reported in parts of the New Zealand and British media have been shown to have no evidential basis".

"The rumours and innuendo surrounding other events have been clearly shown to be grossly misleadingly, inaccurate and exaggerated," a statement from the club continued.

"It has been a difficult time for them all as they have had to withstand a great deal of ill-informed and potentially damaging speculation about their behaviour, while choosing to remain silent pending the outcome of the enquiry.

"All three players have had exemplary disciplinary records in their rugby careers to date, and it was particularly pleasing to see that Danny Care and David Strettle were entirely cleared of any misconduct.

"In the case of Mike Brown, he is fully aware that he should have returned to the team hotel at an earlier hour. Although a relatively minor misdemeanour, he fully accepts the sanction imposed and will now concentrate on regaining his place in the England team."

The other individual named in the report - London Irish wing Topsy Ojo – has already stated his desire to move on and put the incident behind him.

He was fined £500 and warned as to his future conduct.