SA Rugby President responds to reports of him fearing for his life
REACTION: SA Rugby President Mark Alexander has responded to reports suggesting he is fearing for his life due to the Mzansi challenge saga.
SARU has received criticism from the likes of the South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) for their decision to ‘withdraw’ an invitation to Tel Aviv Heat to play in that new tournament.
And over the weekend things seemed to have taken a sinister turn when Afrikaans newspaper Rapport revealed that Alexander has taken necessary safety precautions when he is out in public.
“Sometimes when he is driving and suspects someone is following him, he will call someone to come and get him and protect him,” a source is quoted by the Rapport.
“He could have decided to lock himself in his house for fear of his life, but he goes on with his life instead. He feels that what has to happen, has to happen.”
However, in a short statement on social media on Monday, Alexander downplayed various news reports of threats to his life.
“It was silly individuals expressing their anger, not to be taken seriously,” said the SA Rugby President.
Statement: SARU President Mr Mark Alexander downplayed various news reports of threats to his life: “It was silly individuals expressing their anger, not to be taken seriously.” pic.twitter.com/msmaLS5LMW
— Springboks (@Springboks) February 20, 2023
Alexander announced Tel Aviv Heat’s withdrawal in a statement on Friday, February 3.
“We have listened to the opinions of important stakeholder groups and have taken this decision to avoid the likelihood of the competition becoming a source of division, notwithstanding the fact that Israel Is a full member of World Rugby and the IOC,” Alexander said.
Last week, things escalated when South African Friends of Israel confirmed to Rugby365 that they have submitted an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act for SARU to reveal which stakeholders were consulted in their decision-making process before the Heat was axed from the Mzansi Challenge.
According to Rapport, SA Rugby was pressured by Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa to withdraw Tel Aviv Heat’s invite to the competition.
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