TOM WALKINGTALL
Judged by the current crop of Sunday papers, the results of Gloucester's enquiry into the allegations arising from the outburst of Rob Andrew following the game against Newcastle, is unlikely to be given the same space available for the original press report.
The Observer has a simple footnote of just a few paragraphs tacked on to a headline about Austin Healey. And, that could have been the unfair and deadly outcome of Rob Andrew's original outburst - but for one thing. That one thing just happens to be Tom Walkinshaw's evident dedication and commitment to Gloucester and his ability to stand up, in public and be counted.
At
the press conference convened by Gloucester Rugby Football Club on Saturday
called to announce the results of Gloucester's enquiry into the allegations,
Walkinshaw nailed his considerable colours to the mast. Although suffering
from a heavy cold he spoke with passion about the damage that Andrew's
allegations had done to, not just the club, but the game itself as well
as the city and county of Gloucester. It is a commonplace, when allegations
are made, that people observe that there is no smoke without fire, but
another common expression is, that good can come from bad. In this case
the more relevant observation, because what has happened since the original
allegations were so widely reported has been a queue of the great and
good in rugby coming to Gloucester's support. More importantly though
the genuine outrage that has been felt within the community has had the
opposite effect to that which Andrew must have wanted. The people of Gloucester
are now united in their support of the club, the players and the owner,
Tom Walkinshaw who now must be truly "Walking Tall" in the estimation
of the city and the supporters.
If there is one club and one community in the country that can now be said to be united and free of racial bigotry that club is Gloucester!
THE ENQUIRY :
(The purpose of the enquiry: to investigate allegations made by Rob Andrew about supporters being ejected from the stadium and comments regarding Olivier Azam made at the post match press conference).
The matter of discipline regarding the sending off of Azam is being dealt with by the RFU and is not the subject of the press conference.
The Report (a sixty five page document) has resulted in the following findings:
- That groups of supporters were ejected from the stadium as a result of racist comments allegedly made. Following consultation with all match day stewards as well as the police on duty and the safety officer. The outcome is that there is no evidence of racism by groups of supporters and no one was ejected from the ground.
- Regarding the alleged racial comments made by Olivier Azam to Epi Taione, thus provoking physical retaliation. The following people, close to the incident, were consulted or made statements: the paramedics and medical assistants in the dugout area, spectators, stewards, match referee, Junior Paramore who restrained Epi Taione and all GRFC players, including Phil Vickery who felt so strongly he wanted to make a personal statement. The outcome of this being that there was no evidence of racial comments being made.
- The GRSA have said that they require a formal public apology for the comments of racism from Rob Andrew.
- Olivier Azam has stated that he requires a formal and public apology from Rob Andrew for his allegations of racism.
- Based upon the investigation report, Gloucester Rugby Club supports the actions of the GRSA and Olivier Azam regarding the allegations of racism.
- Other points that the management of GRFC would like to be considered are: The club has a strict policy regarding spectators regarding matters which constitute danger nuisance or annoyance. Furthermore the club has an action plan for racism which is communicated to staff and spectators (included within the matchday programme).
- Gloucester's Team is multi-cultural with players from eight nations. Olivier Azam's father is of African descent (Moroccan).
- The police have written to Rob Andrew asking if he intends to lay charges regarding racial abuse (no charges forthcoming to date seven days after the original allegations).
- The Club have sent a copy of the report into the allegations to the RFU with a request that they consider disciplinary action against Rob Andrew for the damage caused by his unsubstantiated comments of racism and asked whether he should be investigated for bringing the sport of rugby union into disrepute.
Tom Walkinshaw confirmed that: Newcastle have not contacted Gloucester regarding this matter, that all of the players were united in rejecting the allegations and that GRFC have a policy to ensure that matters of that sort are "nipped in the bud". He went on to say that it has been a bad week for the game, the club and the community and it should not be underestimated. However, the Club have had emails in support from all over the country and wider.
In the light of previous allegations made by Rob Andrew (the defeat at Sale), when asked whether there should be a machinery set up by the RFU for investigating remarks made immediately after a defeat? Walkinshaw asked - "for Rob Andrew or everyone"? (laughter). He further observed that he recognised that Andrew has a history of firing from the hip after games and it might be a good idea for some sort of "cooling down period" to be observed to ensure that situations like this didn't arise.
The matter came as a surprise to Walkinshaw as Andrew had made no mention to him about his concerns and in the second half he (Andrew) was actually engaged in banter with surrounding Gloucester supporters, so if the current allegations "was a big issue it would surely have been out on the table by then"! On the basis of the enquiry he, (Walkinshaw) felt that there was no racial abuse whatsoever and it could only have occurred for "him (Andrew) to drum up an excuse for Taione"! With regard to the playing matter "both players were guilty of foul play and it is up to the RFU now to take the appropriate action"!
Gloucester felt that it was important to investigate the matter thoroughly as "there must be the odd cynic amongst you (the press) who would say that players would say that wouldn't they". Gloucester have acted responsibly and he did not think that anyone could expect a more thorough enquiry than Gloucester Rugby Club had carried out. He stressed that the Report should not be seen as a "Gloucester line". "The matter is a frightfully serious issue" and had been investigated thoroughly by Gloucester.
Other Walkinshawisms:
"If he (Azam) had said something like that it wouldn't be a question of Taione hitting him, but Junior would have hit him first". "The biggest roar from the crowd was when Paramore went on the pitch in the second half". "We don't have racial problems at Gloucester".
Azam is an international rugby player and the guy is very upset as this kind of thing goes round the World and could affect his international career". You couldn't get anything more serious could you? Of course he is nervous and he wants things put right, we all want things put right".
If Dean Ryan can get sidelined for six weeks for criticising a referee for being a little bit less than adequate as a referee, I don't know what should be handed out in this case (to Andrew) as I have never in all my life seen newpapers print so much rubbish!
When asked what would happen if Newcastle didn't proceed and whether Gloucester would let matters drop? Walkinshaw said that "we will not let Rob Andrew into this ground again until an apology is forthcoming"!