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20/06/2008
England Rugby Players In 'Serious Sexual Assault' Probe
The England Rugby squad will play New Zealand's All Blacks on Saturday under the shadow of a "serious sexual assault" allegation against four of its players.
New Zealand Police have confirmed the nature of the alleged assault today.
It is understood that the alleged incident occurred in a private room at the Hilton Hotel in Auckland early on Sunday after a 37-20 defeat at Eden Park to New Zealand's All Blacks.
Auckland Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said: "Members of Auckland City Police's Adult Sexual Assault Team flew to Christchurch yesterday in the hope of being able to speak the players involved in the serious sexual assault allegation."
Ms Hegarty said that the players have advised police through legal representation this morning that they are "declining to be interviewed by police on the matter at this stage".
"Auckland City Police will continue to investigate the allegation – that a woman was raped and/or sexually assaulted for four players – as thoroughly as possible before reviewing the file," she added.
Any decision about where to take matters from there will depend on the outcome of that review.
A BBC correspondent says that under New Zealand law the players "are not obliged to speak".
However, no formal statement has been made by the woman who has made the allegations.
Rugby Football Union (RFU) Chief Executive Francis Baron has said in TV interview that the players are "acting on legal advice" by not speaking to the police and that "no complaint has been made".
"We are desperate to clear the players' names but we're in a very strange situation – with no allegations, no complaint being made – as to exactly how the name of the players can be cleared," he said.
It is understood that the four players concerned are "angry and frustrated" at being unable to clear their names.
Elite Rugby Director, Rob Andrews MBE said in a press conference in Christchurch that "the players concerned have the complete support of all players and management".
The England squad are in New Zealand for a two-match series against New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks.
See: England Rugby Players Investigated By New Zealand Police
(DS)
New Zealand Police have confirmed the nature of the alleged assault today.
It is understood that the alleged incident occurred in a private room at the Hilton Hotel in Auckland early on Sunday after a 37-20 defeat at Eden Park to New Zealand's All Blacks.
Auckland Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said: "Members of Auckland City Police's Adult Sexual Assault Team flew to Christchurch yesterday in the hope of being able to speak the players involved in the serious sexual assault allegation."
Ms Hegarty said that the players have advised police through legal representation this morning that they are "declining to be interviewed by police on the matter at this stage".
"Auckland City Police will continue to investigate the allegation – that a woman was raped and/or sexually assaulted for four players – as thoroughly as possible before reviewing the file," she added.
Any decision about where to take matters from there will depend on the outcome of that review.
A BBC correspondent says that under New Zealand law the players "are not obliged to speak".
However, no formal statement has been made by the woman who has made the allegations.
Rugby Football Union (RFU) Chief Executive Francis Baron has said in TV interview that the players are "acting on legal advice" by not speaking to the police and that "no complaint has been made".
"We are desperate to clear the players' names but we're in a very strange situation – with no allegations, no complaint being made – as to exactly how the name of the players can be cleared," he said.
It is understood that the four players concerned are "angry and frustrated" at being unable to clear their names.
Elite Rugby Director, Rob Andrews MBE said in a press conference in Christchurch that "the players concerned have the complete support of all players and management".
The England squad are in New Zealand for a two-match series against New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks.
See: England Rugby Players Investigated By New Zealand Police
(DS)
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