South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) president Brian van Rooyen is set to lay a charge of crimen injuria against former Springbok centre Robbie Fleck.
The Star reported on Tuesday that Van Rooyen has asked the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) to assist him in pursuing the action, following derogatory comments attributed to Fleck.
In an SA Sports Illustrated article written by David Moseley, Fleck — who is now playing for the English Premiership club Bath — refers to Van Rooyen as a ”d***head” and ”bloody racist”.
When asked by Moseley to comment on the state of South African rugby, Fleck said: ” We fire one d***head, then hire another one in Brian van Rooyen. If ever there was a bloody racist, it’s that oke. He’s got the biggest chip on his shoulder, but he acts like he’s going to be the saviour of SA rugby and he’s f***ing it up already.”
The Sarfu boss said that as the magazine is available in the United Kingdom, he will be able to pursue the matter with the Bath police.
”The police will arrest him there [in Bath]. That is for sure,” said Van Rooyen. ”I have also brought a civil action against Moseley and Fleck, and I have also reported it to the Human Rights Commission.”
NDPP spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said South Africa has an extradition treaty with the UK and if the complaint is pursued, Fleck will have to be extradited. — Sapa