England have threatened to walk off the pitch if their players are targeted by more racist abuse from Argentinian fans this weekend.
Asher Opoku-Fordjour and back-row Chandler Cunningham-South were the victims of discrimination whilst warming up for England’s Test in Salta last year.
The RFU filed a complaint to World Rugby and skipper Jamie George insists his team will respond in the strongest way possible if it happens again on Saturday.
Asked if his team would consider leaving the field, George said: ‘It is something being considered, yeah. There is no place for it. It is something that I will remember for the rest of my life when I heard that had happened – and it wasn’t directed at me. It was directed at my team-mates and I care about my team-mates more than anything. So if anything like that happened then it deserves the strongest of reactions.’
George plans to consult his team-mates before the Test in Santiago del Estero before settling on the team’s course of action.
‘What we didn’t do well last year…I genuinely have never experienced it in my life so I was unaware of what to do,’ said George. ‘I also was unaware of it until we got in at half-time. When we reflect back on it the first thing we’d do is make the referee aware of what we’ve seen so it can be properly logged and all the protocols can go into place.
Jamie George has insisted England will respond in the strongest way possible if their players are targeted by more racist abuse from Argentinian fans this weekend
Chandler Cunningham-South and Asher Opoku-Fordjour were the victims of discrimination whilst warming up for England’s Test in Salta last year
England reported the incidents to the game’s governing body, but individuals responsible were unable to be identitied after an investigation
‘What we do outside of that we’re still deciding but I’m very, very strong and passionate that there’s absolutely no place for that in rugby. So our actions will follow that. I’m a white player and I’ve never had to experience anything like that. Of course I have to speak to Asher. I spoke to Manny Feyi-Waboso last night to get his opinion on things.
‘This isn’t just my call to make. But I repeat: I really hope – and I am optimistic – that the Argentinian Rugby Union has taken that very seriously. I’m seriously hoping we don’t have to deal with that and that won’t become a part of the game.’
