Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi will be available to play in the Rugby World Cup final after the sport's governing body said it found no evidence that he racially abused a rival player.
Mbonambi was selected for Sunday morning's World Cup final against New Zealand but his participation could have been jeopardised if he'd been found guilty of misconduct.
The case started after England flanker Tom Curry complained of being subject to a racial slur during the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa at the Stade de France last weekend.
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“Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation,” World Rugby said in a statement Thursday.
“Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.”
World Rugby added that it believes Curry made his allegations “in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious”.
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Curry, who was selected to play against Argentina in the third-place game Friday, has received the support of the England team and his Sale Sharks club this week after a deluge of abuse on social media.
“World Rugby is also concerned by the social media abuse that both players have been subjected to this week,” the governing body added. “There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and World Rugby urges fans to embrace the sport’s values of respect, integrity and solidarity.”
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