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Ulster Rugby vow to 'robustly investigate any complaints' after Simon Zebo says he was abused by fans

The Irish star suggested he was subjected to racial comments at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

ULSTER RUGBY SAY they will investigate ‘any complaints’ of racism from supporters, in the wake of yesterday’s game with Racing 92 in Belfast.

Simon Zebo suggested he was subjected to abuse from fans at Kingspan Stadium during the home side’s 26-22 Champions Cup win.

Following the game, the Irish star tweeted: “A tough place to play but great effort from the boys, 2 important points on the road. Also I hope my ears deceived me with some comments directed my way from the crowd #NotOn Django wins in the end.”

The last comment from the ex-Munster player appears to be a reference to ‘Django Unchained’ — a 2012 Quentin Tarantino film whose protagonist, a former slave in 1850s America, battles against a tyrannical, racist plantation owner.

“Ulster Rugby condemns all forms of abuse and will work with the relevant parties to robustly investigate any complaints received,” a statement, released to The42 by the province, reads. 

European rugby chiefs, meanwhile, says they’ve been in contact with both clubs. In a statement released to RTÉ Sport, they say: “EPCR has not received a formal complaint from Racing 92 regarding any alleged case of verbal abuse of one of the club’s players during yesterday’s Heineken Champions Cup, Pool 4 match at the Kingspan Stadium.

“EPCR is in contact with both Ulster Rugby and Racing 92, and will be making no further comment at this point.” 

Former Ulster player Neil Best responded to Zebo’s comments, tweeting: “Racism has no place in sport and no place in any other area of life. But vague hints/suggestions something may have been said does a great disservice to the many @ulsterrugby fans who were hostile not based on any player’s race/ethnicity. Complaint/Investigation/Outcome/Process.”

Zebo was booed by the crowd in Belfast during Saturday’s match. The 28-year-old  scored a try and was subsequently replaced at half-time yesterday.

When the teams met in the reverse fixture in Paris back in October, the Corkman received criticism and subsequently apologised for prematurely celebrating a try.

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133 Comments
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    Mute Séamus Tierney
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:24 PM

    It’s unfortunate, hugely so, that these appointments are just paper over the cracks that give Delaney another 4-6 years of a tenure that won’t be hugely questioned properly
    Mick does well, “It was always my plan that Stephen learn from one of the Best International Mangers we’ve ever had”
    Mick does poorly, “It’s a risk we had to take. Luckily I have one of the best young managers in the country lined up to take over”
    No matter what happens the spin is there

    274
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    Mute Peter Kiernan
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:07 PM

    @Séamus Tierney: Tesco wrote out the contract.2 for the price of 1.

    32
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    Mute David Clarke
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:40 PM

    Its on file.
    In a filing cabinet.

    190
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    Mute Heckler davies
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:05 PM

    @David Clarke: LOL good one

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    Mute Henry Porter
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:18 PM

    @David Clarke: it’s Bizarre!!!! If McCarthy wins the Euros (ok just go with me here) and Kenny messes up the under 21s, McCarthy just hands over to Kenny?? Kenny manages in a league that anyone who can get out does so as fast as he can. Kenny’s only stint outside was a year with Dunfermline in which they were relegated and he got sacked.

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Nov 26th 2018, 4:03 PM

    @Henry Porter: who were in administration at the time… Stop referring back to it.

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    Mute Weldoninhio
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    Nov 26th 2018, 4:43 PM

    @Yorkie1892: Yes, don’t mention that he flopped at a higher level.

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    Mute Cork Truck Driver
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    Nov 26th 2018, 7:06 PM

    @David Clarke: In a solicitors office.

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    Mute Travellers Are Over-represented In Irish Jails
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:16 PM

    It’ll be interesting to see if he gets 1.2m when he takes over

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    Mute Do the Bort man
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:42 PM

    @Travellers Are Over-represented In Irish Jails: O’Niell was on 2M

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    Mute Jane Aelst
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:43 PM

    @Travellers Are Over-represented In Irish Jails: more interesting to see what happens if Mick has an exceptional 2 years & Kenny really struggles with the u21s. Also wonder how legally binding this “written promise” of a divine right to succeed Mick actually is. Never heard of such an arrangement in professional sports. A good contracts lawyer would tear such a clause to ribbons if it was ever challenged

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    Mute Christy Dolan
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:53 PM

    @Jane Aelst: Wouldn’t it be implied that performances and or results matter? Kenny has been incredibly naive here. What if in two years time the players make it known what they want , even if Mick steps aside and retires into the sun set? Kinda worried know about Kenny, rather silly statement to make . Contracts me little . If the FAI were that certain about Kenny, the Senior job would be his now

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    Mute Christy Dolan
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:22 PM

    “NEW IRELAND U21 boss Stephen Kenny says there is no scenario where he would be prevented from taking on the senior role after Euro 2020.” Very foolish comment to make. The players will dictate whether Mick should stay or not. Kenny will have to also get a couple of good results or at least performances out of the Under 21 team and that will be hard since whatever U21 talent we have we tend to shoe horn them into the Senior team. A lot can happen in 2 years or so

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    Mute Fergus O'Connor
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:15 PM

    So hypothetically he could lose every under 21 game for the next 2 years, and still be guaranteed the step up to senior manager. Sound.

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Nov 26th 2018, 4:36 PM

    @Fergus O’Connor: yup. What a complete joke of an organisation the FAI are.

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    Mute WillietheKid
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:57 PM

    Does Delaney have a qualification of note apart from inheriting the FAI gig from his father ?. Just wondering.

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    Mute MickN
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    Nov 27th 2018, 3:43 PM

    @WillietheKid: He wouldn’t have managed a team in a UEFA comp without having the proper qualifications/badges done…. Obviously…

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    Mute James Clancy
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:50 PM

    Does anybody know how the FAI got away without paying Dundalk any compensation despite Stephen Kenny still having a year left on his contract with them?

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    Mute G.G
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:55 PM

    @James Clancy: 250k

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    Mute Gulliver Foyle
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:01 PM

    @G.G: It’s all someone elses money, nothing that delaney or anyone in the FAI have to worry about.How will the team be in 2020? Who knows, and it doesn’t matter as long a TV and ticket revenue is there and Delaney syphons it off, Dustin could have a “binding” contract and get on the “someone else’s money” compensation trail that the FAI leave in their wake.

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:09 PM

    @James Clancy: he’s gonna be a huge miss. I’m delighted he is getting a chance to represent his country. Hopefully we get someone who also keeps the ball on the ground in Dundalk

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    Mute James Clancy
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:17 PM

    @G.G: So Dundalk have gotten compensation from the FAI for them taking Stephen Kenny with a year still left on his contract at Dundalk???

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    Mute Dan Finlay
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:27 PM

    He’s got a massive job with the U21′s. They’re the least successful of the age grades over the last few years, and I’m not sure if the talent is there. It’ll be interesting to see how they evolve and what impact he has on the other age grades. Was it King or was it the players?. Time will tell.

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    Mute Jake
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    Nov 26th 2018, 2:55 PM

    @Dan Finlay: I have to disagree with talent being available – systems are there to maximise what players can offer – no more of this natural goal scorer rubbish look at any great manager/coach and how they have maximised what they have to work with. I think comparing Noel King with Stephen Kenny shows how little you know. Probably a Utd fan

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    Mute Jake
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:08 PM

    @Dan Finlay: I want to add – I don’t put Mourinho into any great coach and realise that actually, that’s too broad a comment. Kenny has a good story about when he took over Derry he went and signed the best derry players available among some others – Paddy McCourt, Ruaidhrí Higgins, James McClean, Ger O’Brien etc got UEFA cup playoff qualifier 06/07 brought that club up from relegation. A great story

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    Mute Barney r
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:05 PM

    What happens when Delaney is forced to resign. kenny is just being used as a poster boy and clauses will always exist to get out of the contract, especially when you can spent money to get rid of O’Neil & Keane with no consequances. I mean why stop at 2 years time,assign managers for the next decade.

    16
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    Mute Leo Erah
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    Nov 26th 2018, 5:47 PM

    I’m curious about this appointment.
    1. Is Kenny not ready now to take over? And if not what exactly is he going to learn at u21 level over the next 20 months to make him ready?

    2. Why would the FAI publicize this deal? There are no upsides and plenty of downsides. Undermining Mick, breaking up a potentially good management team if Mick is successful etc.

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    Mute Skimothy
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    Nov 26th 2018, 5:08 PM

    A ridiculous situation.

    17
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    Mute Decko Kelly
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:01 PM

    What if we win Euro 2020?

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    Mute Barney r
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:14 PM

    The FAI top management layer will absorb any increase in income and grass roots football will still be the same. Delaney will built a statue of himself and announce the appointment of Jack Charlton to continue his master plan, while sending Kenny home on the train with some cans of Larger.

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    Mute TheHospitalPass
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    Nov 26th 2018, 5:14 PM

    @Decko Kelly: stick to playing fifa

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    Mute Ben Smith
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:13 PM

    Delighted for Kenny. Bit of a weird arrangement, but hopefully it all works out.

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    Mute tim dawson
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    Nov 26th 2018, 3:29 PM

    How naive can you be?

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    Mute Seamus Ryan
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    Nov 26th 2018, 7:58 PM

    If Kenny is not qualified in the FAI’s eyes to get the job now how in flutes name is he gonna be any better in 2 years time? What’s to say that Robbie Keane won’t be better qualified after working with the senior team for the next 2 years?

    4
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