South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi, whom Englishman Tom Curry accused of having made a racial insult against him in the World Cup semi-final, will not be prosecuted for lack of sufficient evidence, has announced World Rugby, Thursday October 26.
Bongi Mbonambi, centerpiece of his team, can therefore play in the World Cup final against New Zealand, Saturday at 9 p.m., at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis). He will occupy the position of starting hooker.
“After reviewing all available evidence, including match footage, audio recordings and testimonies from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to charge prosecutions »explains the international federation in a press release.
“Therefore, the case is considered closed unless additional evidence is discovered”adds the governing body of world rugby, recognizing that “Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith and there is no suggestion that these allegations are deliberately false or malicious”.
The English federation “very disappointed”
The English third row assured the press, after the defeat of the XV de la Rose against the Springboks (16-15) in the semi-final of the World Cup, on October 21, that Mbonambi had called him a “white asshole” (“white cunt”). After about half an hour of play, Curry reported the facts to New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe, asking him what he should say. “Nothing, please.”the referee told him.
In a statement on Thursday, the English Football Federation (RFU) said it “very disappointed with the decision taken by World Rugby” not to bring the matter before an independent disciplinary commission. She also claims that Mbonambi had already uttered a racial insult against Curry during a match in the fall of 2022.
On the sidelines of this affair, the two players were the targets of insults on social networks. World Rugby said “concerned” by these excesses. “The RFU, alongside the England team, condemns the hateful comments made by Tom [Curry] and his family were targeted on social media, after he had the courage to publicly denounce unacceptable behavior on a rugby field and in everyday life.also declared the English federation.