Latest news with #AsherOpokuFordjour
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
World Rugby 'regrets' that racist abusers of England stars in Argentina cannot be identified after Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South were targeted by fans
World Rugby has said it regrets they cannot identify the individuals who targeted England stars Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South with sickening racist abuse during the national side's 22-17 win over Argentina in San Juan on July 12. England reported the incidents to the game's governing body last week and a 'thorough investigation' took place – one which included player evidence. Mail Sport understands forwards Opoku-Fordjour and Cunningham-South were targeted by Argentinian fans while they warmed up behind the posts as replacements during the match. On Monday, World Rugby said in a statement: 'While it is clear an incident took place, we regret the individuals responsible could not be identified.' As such, no arrests or specific punishments have been handed out. In response, Argentina has 'developed an action plan to enhance their operations, educate fans and better prevent such unacceptable incidents from occurring again.' It is understood it has been impossible to identify which fans were responsible for the racism because the stadium in San Juan had unrestricted seating, thus allowing supporters to roam freely within the arena. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: 'There is absolutely no place for racism in our sport and these incidents must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. 'Every player, regardless of their background, has the right to represent their country with pride and dignity, free from discrimination and abuse. We are in close contact with the players affected and have offered them our full support. 'We're pleased World Rugby was able to act swiftly to investigate and thank Argentina for their full co-operation and support. We trust they will take the necessary steps to prevent any recurrence of such unacceptable behaviour.' Without 13 of their key players who were selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, England had a fine summer – winning 2-0 in Argentina and beating the USA. Gabriel Travaglini, president of Argentina Rugby, stated: 'We strongly condemn all acts of racism and stand in solidarity with the England players who felt aggrieved. 'Upon learning of the incidents, intense efforts were made to identify the small group of five or seven individuals responsible within a crowd of over 20,000 spectators. 'Unfortunately, despite an exhaustive search, it was not possible to identify the perpetrators. We will continue to work with World Rugby to educate fans and eradicate any similar manifestations in the future, ensuring our events are spaces of respect and inclusion for everyone.'
Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
England players suffered racist abuse from Argentina fans, who escape punishment
England players were the target of racist abuse from between 'five and seven' Argentina fans during the second Test victory over Los Pumas in San Juan. The incident, which took place as the visitors' bench warmed up behind the posts during the first half, was highlighted by England's players and management after the match, with an official complaint raised with World Rugby. Among England's replacements that day were prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour and back-rower Chandler Cunningham-South. It is understood the incident was a verbal, racist assault. The sport's global governing body said in a statement that it undertook 'an immediate and thorough investigation, involving witness statements, video analysis, and other lines of enquiry'. Working alongside the Unión Argentina de Rugby, World Rugby concluded that it was 'clear' an incident took place but regretted that the individuals responsible could not be identified. There will be no punishment for the UAR, but a stipulation to develop an fan education plan to prevent future occurrence. 'There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and any complaint of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby,' added the statement from the governing body. 'Working with World Rugby, the [UAR] has developed an action plan to enhance their operations, educate fans and better prevent such unacceptable incidents from occurring again.' Brett Robinson, World Rugby's chair, outlined his thanks to the UAR 'for [its] cooperation both in attempting to identify the individuals involved and for swiftly developing a comprehensive plan which we believe will make such incidents less likely in future'. Identifying the small number of abusers involved was made all the more difficult by the fact that seating in San Juan, just as in La Plata a week earlier, was unreserved. Tickets were valid for a specific stand only and, therefore, fans were able to move freely during the match. Therefore, it has proved impossible to identify the abusers via ticketing information and without video footage of the stands at the exact moment that the incident took place. Gabriel Travaglini, UAR president, stated: 'We strongly condemn all acts of racism and stand in solidarity with the England Rugby players who felt aggrieved. Upon learning of the incidents, intense efforts were made to identify the small group of five or seven individuals responsible within a crowd of over 20,000 spectators. 'Unfortunately, despite an exhaustive search, it was not possible to identify the perpetrators. We will continue to work collaboratively with World Rugby to educate the fans and eradicate any similar manifestations in the future, ensuring that our events are spaces of respect and inclusion for everyone.' Bill Sweeney, the Rugby Football Union's chief executive, said: 'There is absolutely no place for racism in our sport – or in any society – and these incidents must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. 'Every player, regardless of their background, has the right to represent their country with pride and dignity, free from discrimination and abuse. We are in close contact with the players affected and have offered them our full support.' England have just returned from a three-Test trip to Argentina and the US, winning the series 2-0 against Los Pumas before defeating the US Eagles in Washington DC last Saturday. This is not the first time that Argentinian sport has been at the centre of a racism storm of late. In July 2024, following Argentina's Copa América triumph, a video surfaced of Enzo Fernández and other Argentinian players on the team bus allegedly chanting in a racist manner about the origin of France's players. The French Football Federation lodged a complaint to Fifa and Fernández privately apologised to his Chelsea team-mates, one of whom was the French player Wesley Fofana, and donated to an anti-discrimination charity.
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
British & Irish Lions calm fears over Tadhg Furlong's fitness for Australia tour
The British & Irish Lions have insisted they have no fitness concerns over the veteran tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and have revealed he and other Premiership and URC finalists will be considered for their opening match against Argentina in Dublin next Friday. Furlong, who has started the last nine Lions Tests, has not played for his province since early May due to a calf injury, prompting fears over his availability for the Australia tour. Zander Fagerson also withdrew from the squad on Monday, leaving options at tighthead severely limited. Ireland's Finlay Bealham has been called up to replace Fagerson and with Bath's Will Stuart preparing for the Premiership final against Leicester on Saturday, Sale's 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been called up to the Lions' Portugal training camp. He and Jamie George - another called up for the week in the Algarve - are among 24 players at Andy Farrell's disposal with Bath, Leicester, Leinster and Toulouse players focused on club commitments. The Lions forwards coach, John Dalziel, delivered positive news on Duhan van der Merwe, Huw Jones and Mack Hansen, who have been injured recently, and was quick to allay fears over Furlong. Farrell was expected to select the team to face Argentina from the 24 in Portugal, but Dalziel was adamant that club finalists will be considered. 'Tadhg has the availability to be able to train and play this week with Leinster,' he said. 'There are no real concerns in terms of his ability to come back to full training. Tadhg had returned to play and was playing. He's now being modified in terms of [being] off-feet in the last few weeks. We've got no real concerns [around] when comes back to full training and playing. 'We will put our best team and our best foot forward for Argentina, with everybody available the squad will be together on Sunday, everybody in after the finals, then we will select and prepare that team that week. We will get some structures in place here, some language and some learning with the wider group, then we will arrive back in Dublin on Sunday with everyone and prepare for Argentina.' Dalziel also revealed that Fagerson, who toured South Africa with the Lions in 2021, may return to the squad when fit. 'He'll become available at the right time and when he's ready should we need him again. His injury isn't long term. I think it's three or four weeks. It's a setback. He's looking to try and get through that. As soon as he gets the tick off, he'll be available to come back into the squad should needs must.' The Lions arrived in Portugal on Tuesday after convening in Dublin the day before and after a high-octane gym session at the Campus resort on Wednesday, Farrell will run the rule over his players with two training sessions on Thursday and Friday. During their free time, players have been kept entertained by the golf courses and padel courts while Henry Pollock is now in official possession of BiL, the Lions' mascot, traditionally the responsibility of the youngest member of the squad. He was presented with the toy lion by Maro Itoje, this year's captain, who had the honour in 2017. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion 'The connection piece in modern sport is so important,' said Dalziel. 'Just the way the lads have integrated with the coaches, it's been so pleasing. Everyone has their own personality, but it's excellent to see guys you've previewed, and have been a thorn in your side, you can use them now.' Meanwhile, Australia's star turn Joseph Suaalii has declared himself fit for the series after recovering from a broken jaw. The 21-year-old signing from rugby league - who starred on debut against England at Twickenham last November - was injured last month. 'My face was really big for a bit, I was wearing a face mask everywhere,' he said. 'It's such an important time for myself and Australian rugby and I want to be playing, so obviously I was a little bit of nerves but ... I had surgery maybe three weeks ago now and looking good going into the Lions.' England have called Henry Arundell into camp this week as they prepare for a clash with a France XV at Twickenham on Saturday week before a tour of Argentina and the US. Arundell, who joins Bath next season, has endured a torrid season with Racing 92 but, given his impending move back to the Premiership, Borthwick has called upon the 22-year-old speedster for the first time in 20 months.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sale's Opoku-Fordjour called up to Lions training squad
Sale's 20-year-old tight-head prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been called up to the British and Irish Lions training has only won one cap for England but will now travel to Portugal next week as the Lions prepare for the match with Argentina in Dublin on Friday, 20 12 players from United Rugby Championship (URC) finalists Leinster unavailable for training next week, as well as those from Premiership finalists Bath and Leicester, Lions boss Andy Farrell is in desperate need of extra bodies to prepare for the taking on Argentina at Aviva Stadium, the Lions will fly to Perth before their first match in Australia against the Western Force on 28 is particularly short of options in the front row. Hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher are still on Leinster duty, leaving Luke Cowan-Dickie the only hooker from the original party available for training in the coming at tight-head the Lions are seriously stretched. Tadhg Furlong is an injury concern and is also with Leinster, Bath's Will Stuart is unavailable, while Scotland and Glasgow's Zander Fagerson is recovering from a calf Lions call-up comes at the end of a breakthrough season. He won his first England cap in the autumn and made the shortlist for Premiership young player of the season. He started for Sale in Saturday's 21-16 defeat by Leicester at Welford Ireland prop Finlay Bealham and England hooker Jamie George are also expected to be called into the Lions squad, with official confirmation of the additions expected on Monday.
