Rugby player found guilty of race abuse during match

An amateur rugby player has been suspended for 18 weeks after being found guilty of racially abusing an opponent during a match in Shropshire.

Martin Rudd, of Telford Hornets, was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Rugby Football Union by racially abusing an opponent during the match against Market Drayton RFC on January 28.

He had denied the charge, but was found guilty at an RFU disciplinary panel hearing at the Coventry M6 Holiday Inn hotel last night.

He has been suspended until June 2 and will be able to resume playing again on June 3. Players from Drayton RFC walked off the field after an hour of the Midlands Four West (North) match and refused to return.

The club was deducted 20 points for bringing the game into disrepute. His Honour Judge Sean Enright, chairman of the RFU panel, said: "Racism has no part in the game. We are utterly determined to stamp it out when it appears."

Telford Hornets was cleared of involvement in an incident which led to the referee abandoning the match, while Drayton was found guilty of leaving the field after an incident causing the referee to abandon the match at Hinkshay Road, Dawley. Both clubs had denied the charges.

Drayton's Rob Thomas said: "I feel extremely let down by the RFU."

Matt Evans, Hornets' captain, today said: "We're very pleased that the club was acquitted."

See also:

• Rugby player due to attend racism hearing

• Rugby race row player is charged after game abandoned