"The behaviour directed towards our players was wholly unacceptable"

A Cheltenham rugby club has spoken out about 'wholly unacceptable' racist abuse allegedly levelled against its players during a match at the weekend.

Smiths Rugby faced off against Gloucester-based rugby team, Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC, in a home match at the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham on Saturday, October 10. The Cheltenham team were defeated 22-29.

The Senior Committee at Smiths Rugby said the match was played in 'good spirits' and that both sets of players and coaches conducted themselves 'respectfully' and with 'sportsmanship'.

However, it alleged Chosen Hill Former Pupils 'supporters' hurled 'deeply offensive' racist abuse and personal insults at members of Smiths Rugby. Chosen Hill says it is taking the complaint against 'a supporter' seriously and warned 'appropriate disciplinary action will follow where warranted'.

The Cheltenham team has reported the incident to the relevant governing bodies. The committee said its stands with its players, and that the club's first priority is the wellbeing of those affected.

In a statement issued on Tuesday the club committee said: " Smiths Rugby stands firmly alongside our players following an incident during Saturday’s fixture against Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC, in which members of our club were subjected to racist abuse and deeply offensive personal insults from opposition supporters.

"Our first priority is the wellbeing of those affected. We want every player, member and their family to know that they have the full and unwavering support of our club.

"Smiths Rugby has always prided itself on being a friendly, welcoming and inclusive club, built on friendship, mutual respect and a shared love of the game. Everyone who is part of our rugby community deserves to feel safe, valued and accepted, both on and off the pitch.

"The behaviour directed towards our players was wholly unacceptable and has no place in rugby or wider society. It contradicts rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, and the basic standards of decency we should all expect from one another.

"We have formally raised our concerns with the opposition club and reported the incident to the relevant governing bodies. We will continue to engage with and support the appropriate processes as they progress.

"We would like to make clear that the match itself was played in good spirits. Both sets of players and coaches conducted themselves respectfully throughout what was a closely fought contest. It is important that the unacceptable behaviour experienced off the pitch is distinguished from the sportsmanship shown on it.

"Above all, our focus remains on supporting those affected, listening to their experiences and ensuring they know they do not face this alone. We encourage any player or member who feels they need support to reach out to the club committee.

"The strength of our club lies not only in what we achieve on the pitch, but in how we treat and stand by one another off it. Racism, discrimination and personal abuse have no place in our club or in our game."

Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC also responded to the incident, posting a statement on their Facebook page on Tuesday night.

The club wrote: "Following Saturday's match, the club is aware of a formal complaint regarding alleged racist language used by a supporter in attendance. We are extremely disappointed that this matter has arisen and take any allegations of this nature very seriously.

"Chosen Hill FPRFC does not condone racism, discrimination or abusive behaviour of any kind. While we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our members and supporters, this must always be demonstrated in a respectful manner towards opposition players, officials, supporters, and everyone involved in the game.

"Such behaviour is entirely contrary to the standards, values and principles that our club strives to hold. The matter is being taken seriously, and discussions have already taken place with members. Appropriate disciplinary action will follow where warranted.

"We are proud of our club, our team, and the community that supports us, and we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone representing or supporting Chosen Hill FPRFC upholds these values, both on and off the pitch.

"We ask all members and supporters to get behind the team in the right way, showing their support with pride, respect and sportsmanship."

A Rugby Football Union (RFU) spokesperson confirmed: "We have received a report of racist abuse towards players at Smiths Rugby last Saturday.

"We will be working with the clubs and relevant Constituent Body (Gloucestershire RFU) to investigate this incident, as we do with all reported cases of discrimination. All reports of racism are taken extremely seriously, as it has no place in rugby or wider society."