Collymore quizzed by police over assault

THE head coach of Bath Rugby Club, whose team members have been accused of racially abusing soccer star Stan Collymore, has claimed the players were “set up.”

Yesterday coach John Connolly said: “We honestly believe that they (the players alleged to have been involved) were totally blame-free and the accusations were not true and have no doubt they were set up.”

Connolly acknowledged that this week had not been “a smooth run” but said the club would continue to back the accused players “110%.”

Collymore flew into Dublin yesterday to speak to gardaí about an alleged assault on him by Bath rugby players last weekend. The 33-year-old was interviewed by Garda officers at the police station at Dublin Airport. The incident happened when Collymore became involved in a fight with members of the Bath team outside a fast food restaurant in Grafton Street. Collymore claims the incident was sparked by an exchange of words in celebrity haunt Lillie’s Bordello in Grafton Street in which he alleged the girlfriend of a Bath player called him a “w*****.” A Bath player then stepped in and called him a “f****** Kaffir”, he said.

Collymore alleged he was provoked when Bath’s South African international centre Robbie Fleck racially abused him.

The claims are denied by sources close to the Bath team.