The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) said on Monday that neither the players nor any of their administrators had been contacted by New Zealand authorities in connection with an alleged sexual assault by a team member.
New Zealand website stuff.co.nz reported a Lions rugby player had been allegedly involved in a case of sexual assault in Dunedin following their Super Rugby 26-22 victory over the Highlanders on Saturday.
The Lions immediately issued a statement on behalf of the union’s president Kevin de Klerk denying they had any knowledge of the incident.
“No direct contact from any authorities from New Zealand has been received.”
The website reported the police had confirmed that the alleged assault of an 18-year-old woman took place during the early hours of Sunday morning.
The alleged incident took place in the hours after the touring South African team beat the Highlanders 26-22 in their Super Rugby match at Carisbrook on Saturday night.
It is understood an 18-year-old University of Otago student complained that she was sexually assaulted.
Friends of the girl at one of the University’s halls of residence said they had been warned not to talk to reporters about the incident, the website reported.
Otago University communications manager Megan McPherson said the incident was a “police matter”.
Police on Monday apparently requested video footage from a bar in central Dunedin.
De Klerk said the union would work closely with the Lions rugby team management to investigate the report. — Sapa