Ulster fans accused of racial abuse

Rugby:Ulster rugby fans are again at the centre of allegations of abuse.

Following on from Trevor Brennan's assertion he was verbally abused while warming up for Toulouse when they played Ulster in their last Heineken European Cup match, Gwent Dragons have complained two of their players were racially abused last Friday night during a Magners Celtic League game in Ravenhill.

The Dragons management have said Colin Charvis and Aled Brew were racially abused by Ulster fans during the first half of the match, which Ulster went on to win 14-7.

They also said they had made Ulster officials aware of the players' complaints at half-time.

Dragons issued a statement on Saturday night saying they would follow up the complaint in writing and expressing disappointment at the incident.

"The Newport Gwent Dragons team were singled out for racial abuse by a minority of the Ravenhill crowd," said the statement. "The issue, having been raised by the players at half-time, was then taken up by the Dragons management and brought to the attention of the Ulster officials. The Dragons will confirm in writing to Ulster their concerns and disappointment over the incident.

"The Dragons feel that it was a small minority but feel the issue needs to be raised as is not acceptable in society and the game of rugby football."

Michael Reid, chief executive of the Ulster branch, admitted a complaint had been made to a touch-judge by one of the Dragons players.

"It was an isolated incident," Reid told yesterday's Sunday Timesnewspaper. "One person shouted something at one player. Suddenly it's chanting at two players, one of whom wasn't even on the pitch during the first half."

Reid went on to express amazement at the Dragons' handling of the episode.

"This is a far more major story than what I had understood to have happened last night," he said. "If there is something that is provable, we will hammer it.

"I'm amazed that Dragons would have done it in this manner, rather than writing to me or emailing me."