Rugby-Online abuse of Curry unacceptable, says Farrell

England flanker Tom Curry has faced a continuous stream of online abuse following a remark he made during the World Cup semi-final against South Africa. Curry reported that South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi used discriminatory and abusive language towards him. Both World Rugby and South Africa Rugby are currently investigating the accusation, but no decision or punishment has been announced yet. In response, the England captain, Owen Farrell, held a press conference to condemn the abuse and emphasize that such behavior is unacceptable.

In the press conference ahead of the bronze final against Argentina, Farrell expressed his bewilderment at the extent of the abuse Curry has received. He stressed that the impact of such abuse goes beyond Curry alone, affecting not only him but also the team. Farrell emphasized that verbal attacks online are not justified, and one should not assume that saying hurtful things behind a computer screen is acceptable because it is not.

Farrell made it clear that the team stands in full support of Curry, but they have been avoiding constant conversation about the issue to allow Curry to focus on the upcoming match, as it is his 50th cap. The coach, Steve Borthwick, also stated that Curry’s involvement in the game was never in question due to the controversy surrounding him. Borthwick praised Curry’s determination to play, highlighting his exceptional physical and mental preparation.

The club where Curry plays in the Premiership, Sale Sharks, released a statement expressing their outrage over the abuse directed at Curry and his family. They asserted that everyone at the club stands firmly behind Curry.

Farrell spoke highly of Curry’s character, describing him as one of the most honest and hardworking players he has ever played with. Farrell reassured Curry that those close to him fully support and stand by him, expressing his hope that Curry is aware of this. However, the incident involving Curry is ultimately a matter for World Rugby and SA Rugby to address.

Before the tournament, World Rugby announced a partnership with Signify Group to combat hate speech and abuse within the online community. However, it remains uncertain whether any action has been taken against those responsible in Curry’s case. Farrell admitted that this situation has made him more cautious with social media engagement and less likely to interact with people outside his close circle.

In conclusion, the abuse Tom Curry has faced since his accusation against Bongi Mbonambi during the World Cup semi-final has led to widespread condemnation from his team and club. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, with World Rugby and SA Rugby yet to impose any punishment. Both Curry and his team have emphasized the importance of supporting and protecting players, while also highlighting the need to address online abuse and hate speech.

Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Christian Radnedge