Banned EPRU President 'postpones' club games
EXCLUSIVE: The tempestuous Eastern Province Rugby Union’s already bleak year took another turn for the worse.
The EPRU on Friday issued a directive that all club and school games in the province have been postponed.
This is the result of the unavailability of referees over violence and intimidation against match officials in the province.
A number of clubs – including Kowie United and Klipfontein – already had their home games suspended this season over violence against match officials.
The Jeffreys Bay club had all its home fixtures suspended, following an incident of violence in which three Port Elizabeth Harlequins players were stabbed and hospitalised.
The South African Rugby Union earlier this year slammed the behaviour of what they termed “hot-headed thugs” in the game.
In the letter to stakeholders, the EPRU said it will ‘consult’ at the earliest possible convenience on the matter.
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What adds to the intrigue of the decision is the letter was sent under the name of banned EPRU President Maasdorp Cannon.
He was suspended for two years by SARU in June.
The ban prevents him from holding any position or participating in any rugby structures under the auspices of SARU.
This follows after he was found guilty of contravening the SARU Constitution and its Code of Conduct.
Cannon appeared before a judicial committee over the course of 14 months on six charges relating to a speech he made in February 2022 during which he variously described SARU as being a ‘racist organisation’; its leadership as ‘selling-out’ SARU; and that the Springbok was a ‘racist emblem’.
Cannon did not immediately respond to a @rugby365com request for comment.
Previously, following his ban, he told @rugby365com that he ‘reserves his rights’.
A spokesperson from SARU confirmed to @rugby365com that Cannon has appealed the ban – which allows him to continue action as EPRU President until the appeal process is completed.
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