Andrew Eats Humble Pie

By Ridley Hall
May 11 2002

The prospect of a Gloucester v Falcons play-off at Kingsholm has led to an outbreak of common sense among everyone involved in the unseemly row over alleged racial remarks. Rob has apologised to Olivier Azam and the Glaws supporters. This is what the text of the aplogy says:...

It has been signed by both clubs and the Gloucester Supporters Association who were threatening legal action against Rob.

"At the Press Conference following the Gloucester and Falcons fixture on December 29th 2001 and on various occasions between December 20 2001 and January 9 2002, Rob Andrew made certain remarks top the national English media to the effect that Olivier Azam of Gloucester had mad racial comments on two occasions to Epi Taione of Falcons during the game, and that sections of Gloucester supporters racially abused Falcons players and that one or more had been ejected from the ground.

Although these remarks were made in good faith based on statements made to ob Andrew before the Press Conference, he now accpets that, for the following reasons, there was insufficient evidence to justify those remarks.

With regard to Gloucester supporters, Rob Andrew accepts that only one Gloucester supporter made comments of an inappropriate nature, and he understands that the supporter was not ejected from the ground.

"Gloucester Ruigby Club regrets the fact that it proved necessary for a Gloucester season ticket holder to be spoken to for his inappropriate comments, and regrets the distress caused to Falcons players as a result of the comments made.

"With regard to Olivier Azam, Rob Andrew accepts that it was never the case that Olivier Azam was alleged by Epi Taione to have made more than one racist remark.

"Mr Andrew aplogises to Olivier Azam and to Gloucester supporters for any offence or distress caused to them by these comments."

Least said soonest mended.