The Canterbury Crusaders on Monday denied allegations on social media that some of the team's players had exhibited homophobic behaviour during an altercation at a fast food restaurant in Cape Town over the weekend.
The players were accused of "physically intimidating behaviour... making homophobic slurs and adopting high pitched voices" in a post by a local Twitter user.
IF YOU WANNA BE QUEERPHOBIC WE WILL RECORD YOU SINCE YOU RECORDED US FOR YOUR JOKE. Long st mc Donald’s. pic.twitter.com/Uz2pRnh4XS
— adam (@adamlennoxx) May 18, 2019
The reigning Super Rugby champion Crusaders played out a 19-19 draw with local side, the Stormers, at Newlands on Saturday.
For the love of the game right?! pic.twitter.com/fWtS6roadf
— adam (@adamlennoxx) May 19, 2019
"The three players, team management and the South African-based security advisor with them, strongly refute the socialised account of what happened," the Crusaders said in a statement on Monday.
"They are devastated by the allegation and the implication of homophobic behaviour."
Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said the Crusaders were "committed to inclusivity".
"That is what makes these allegations particularly distressing," he said.
— BNZ Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) May 20, 2019
Mansbridge said he would meet with the team management and players on their return to Christchurch.
"However, I am confident in the account that we have received from the team and the security advisor who was present," he said.
On Friday, Rugby Australia terminated the playing contract of former Australia fullback Israel Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, for posting on social media that hell awaited "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers" and others.
There is a second claim of abuse by another Cape Town local, stating they too had an encounter with members of the Crusaders team at a local club.
On Saturday my friends and I went to Arcade (keep in mind I didn’t wanna go there in the first place because of all the stories I’ve heard) and it’s not packed. We’re dancing and talking in between songs, minding our own business. Suddenly out of nowhere this guy spits beer on us
— Kaylene🌻 (@Kaylene_vDalen) May 16, 2019
Reuters