White faces Saru grilling
2007-06-11 09:50
Johannesburg - Springbok coach Jake White will appear before South African Rugby Union managing director Jonathan Stones on Monday in connection with an incident in which he allegedly verbally abused a journalist, The Star newspaper has reported.
The journalist, Adnaan Mohamed of Die Son, has laid a complaint of assault with police in Johannesburg against Collin Francke, one-time masseur for Mamelodi Sundowns, for allegedly attacking him in a toilet at a News Cafe outlet in Sandton on Thursday.
In his affidavit, Mohamed claims White questioned him about his "negative reporting" of the Springboks and White personally. Later in the evening, Mohamed claims a third party, Francke, who had been sitting at White's table, assaulted him.
Mohamed said he believed Francke's actions were a direct result of White's earlier altercation with him.
"I don't know him at all and had no issues with him."
Stones said on Sunday that Saru would hold an inquiry into the incident.
"We only have a complaint from Mohamed's editor, Andrew Koopman, in which the allegation is that Jake verbally abused Mohamed and that this led to a third party, Francke, assaulting him.
"I will initiate the inquiry on Monday. It is an internal disciplinary matter. As managing director, I am responsible for addressing any disciplinary matters concerning the Springbok coach," he said.
"I will hear both sides of the story. I know Jake is willing to give his version of events, and I hope Mohamed will make himself available. We hope to conclude this matter as soon as possible."
Stones said he still had to decide how many Saru officials would be part of the inquiry.
Stones was not willing to comment on whether White had broken the Springbok code of conduct.
Storm in a teacup?
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- SAPA