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Rugby Union

RFU launches independent investigation into allegations

25/06/2008

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced its own independent inquiry into allegations made against four players on the recent tour of New Zealand.

Following defeat in the first Test against the All Blacks a number of players went out drinking and brought females back to their hotel, after which one woman made a claim of sexual assault.

The female is yet to make a formal complaint and all four players implicated have denied any wrong-doing.

Nevertheless the incident has caused the RFU to probe the details of what occurred, independently of the on-going police investigation in New Zealand.

After receiving a report from elite director of rugby Rob Andrew, who was also team manager for the tour in Martin Johnson's absence, the RFU chose to take action.

A statement said it would "refer the allegations of tour misconduct to the RFU disciplinary officer, His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, who will carry out a full investigation into the allegations", while maintaining its distance from the police inquiry.

While no time limit has been set on the investigation Judge Blackett has stated he intends the investigation to be completed "as quickly as possible".

The RFU feels the incident has damaged the game's reputation and have therefore advised Andrew and Johnson to revise the players' code of conduct in the light of the behaviour on tour.

Johnson has also been encouraged to "review and revise the England 'teamship rules' when he takes up his post on 1st July 2008", which will then be incorporated into the newly-established elite player agreement.