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<\/p>\nTom Curry has been the target of threats and abuse <\/p>\n
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Maro Itoje has praised the courage of his England rugby teammate Tom Curry after the conclusion of the investigation into Curry\u2019s allegation that Bongi Mbonambi directed a racial slur at him.<\/p>\n
World Rugby announced a conclusion to their investigation into the matter this morning citing a lack of evidence, a decision described by both England head coach Steve Borthwick and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as \u201cdeeply disappointing\u201d.<\/p>\n
Curry had accused Mbonambi, the South Africa hooker, of calling him a \u201cwhite c***\u201d during last Saturday\u2019s final, and separately having also made a remark towards him during the autumn international between the two nations last November.<\/p>\n
Both England and Sale Sharks have condemned the abuse and threats that their player has received as a result of making his allegation during last Saturday\u2019s World Cup semi-final.<\/p>\n
And Itoje has said it is \u201cdisgraceful\u201d that \u201cthe innocent party\u201d in the matter had been targeted in such a way. <\/p>\n
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Maro Itoje has praised Tom Curry\u2019s courage <\/p>\n
\u201cTom is the innocent party in this respect,\u201d Itoje said. \u201cHe is the victim of the situation. For him to have this abuse is disgraceful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Tom has been tremendous. He\u2019s been courageous to do what he\u2019s done in the manner he\u2019s done it, through proper channels, conducting himself in a manner he should be proud of. <\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely as teammates, we are proud of him. To do that isn\u2019t easy. To make a statement like that isn\u2019t easy. To call out stuff like that isn\u2019t easy. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs you\u2019ve seen this week, when you do something courageous like that, you put yourself out there. He\u2019s been absolutely fantastic in that regard.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RFU issued a statement immediately after World Rugby released their decision saying they were \u201cdeeply disappointed\u201d that a full disciplinary hearing had not been held.<\/p>\n
That sentiment was echoed by Borthwick a day ahead of England\u2019s bronze medal match against Argentina.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe RFU expressed great disappointment at World Rugby\u2019s decision and that disappointment is shared by Tom, his teammates, the management team and everyone associated with this team,\u201d Borthwick stressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTom Curry has done nothing wrong, let\u2019s be clear on that. We have got a victim of a situation who has not been able to have his voice heard.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy World Rugby\u2019s decision, they have denied the victim of the situation, Tom Curry, [a chance] to have his voice heard. That\u2019s where the disappointment really comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mbonambi has been picked to start for South Africa in the World Cup final against New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Curry, meanwhile, will start on the blindside for England at the Stade de France on Friday night.<\/p>\n