Attack on black Bok fan

2008-09-01 18:01

Johannesburg - The SA Rugby Union offered a R10 000 reward on Monday to anyone who could identify the perpetrators of a racist attack that occurred at the Tri-Nations match on Saturday.

The attack happened at the Tri-Nations Test between the Springboks and Australia at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Saru said together with the Golden Lions Rugby Union they were pursuing all avenues to identify three white men who racially abused and assaulted a black female Springbok fan at half-time in the corridors of the stadium.

'Despicable action'

The president of Saru, Oregan Hoskins, said: "There were 54 000 people in the stadium enjoying a thrilling Springbok victory, but it takes the racist actions of a tiny handful to sour the occasion.

"This was a despicable action by three men whom every Springbok on the field that day would have roundly condemned."

"But what's as alarming is that other supporters passed by without intervening."

He added that Saru was committed to rooting out this behaviour and would come down hard on the perpetrators.

" I don't want them in rugby - they should stay away from our game," said Hoskins.

The Golden Lions and Saru contacted the woman to offer their apologies and express their sympathy as well as an attempt to identify the individuals responsible.

'Zero tolerance'

Hoskins said they had friends and acquaintances who saw what had happened "and we urge them to contact our offices so that we can take action.

"We will also be contacting all 14 of our provinces to underline that we have zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour - anyone found guilty of such actions will be banned from our stadiums" he said.

As a result of this incident the Golden Lions were investigating placing anti-racism stickers on stadium seats.

"The sticker will contain information about an SMS number supporters can use to immediately identify racist incidents."

- SAPA