{"id":295322,"date":"2023-10-24T22:26:33","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T22:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=295322"},"modified":"2023-10-24T22:26:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T22:26:33","slug":"curry-victim-of-online-abuse-following-mbonambi-accusation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/rugby-union\/curry-victim-of-online-abuse-following-mbonambi-accusation\/","title":{"rendered":"Curry victim of online abuse following Mbonambi accusation"},"content":{"rendered":"
Tom Curry has been the victim of online threats and abuse following his claim that he was racially abused by South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The England flanker has alleged that Mbonambi called him a ‘white c***’ during the first half of South Africa’s 16-15 Rugby World Cup semi-final win in Paris.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Sale Sharks openside approached referee Ben O’Keeffe in the 28th minute of the match, and is heard to say over the ref mic: ‘Sir, sir, if their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?’\u00a0<\/p>\n
O’Keeffe replied: ‘Nothing, please.’\u00a0<\/p>\n
After the final whistle, there was a noticeable altercation between Curry and Mbonambi, who appeared to refuse to shake the England forward’s hand and marched off down the tunnel.<\/p>\n
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Tom Curry has accused South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi of calling him a ‘white c***’ during the Rugby World Cup semi-final<\/p>\n
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Some South Africa fans believe Mbonambi was communicating with his team-mates in Afrikaans rather than abusing Curry<\/p>\n
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In the 28th minute, Curry (seen right) approached referee Ben O’Keefe and is heard to say over the referee’s microphone: ‘Sir, sir, if their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?’<\/p>\n
It was confirmed on Monday that the English Rugby Football Union had lodged an official complaint about the incident, prompting World Rugby to open an investigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
South Africa fans have since uncovered footage of the game that they believe in fact shows shouting at team-mates in Afrikaans rather than aiming any insult in the direction of Curry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It has been confirmed that World Rugby are looking into a different incident involving the same two players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, that has not stopped social media users posting insults and threats about the England man.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WARNING: The embedded clip below features very strong language<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Curry has been the victim of threats and abuse posted on social media since the incident<\/p>\n One user posted on X (formerly Twitter): ‘We want Tom Curry sued for defamation of character unless he issues a public apology.’<\/p>\n Others went further, with one X user posting: ‘Tom Curry must never set foot in South Africa, ever.’\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Curry has disabled comments on his Instagram page following the abuse he has received.\u00a0<\/p>\n England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth has said that the squad will rally around Curry as they prepare to face Argentina in the bronze final.<\/p>\n