Ulster racial abuse decision delayed

ULSTER’S Matt McCullough must wait until next week before the ERC announces any decision relating to a racial abuse complaint by London Irish.

ERC Disciplinary Officer Roger O’Connor accepted submissions from both London Irish and Ulster earlier this week, and a decision was expected on Friday.

The Exiles said that their player Delon Armitage was a victim of a racial slur.

Although McCullough admitted directing foul language towards the winger, he denied any racial abuse.

London Irish’s vociferous coach Brian Smith said the alleged incidents took place during the back-to-back games in Pool 5 during December.

Ulster’s chief executive Michael Reid vehemently denied any allegations of abuse by anyone in the Ulster squad.

It is thought a colloquial saying well known in Ulster was possibly misinterpreted as racial abuse.

McCullough sent a letter to London Irish apologising for his use of strong language to Armitage.

The ERC requires more time to sift through all the evidence presented to them in Dublin by London Irish and Ulster.

Meanwhile, the draw for the Heineken Cup semi-finals will be made in London on Tuesday, January 23.

The six pool winners and the two best runners-up will be being ranked 1-8. The quarter-final line-up will be 1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6, 4 v 5.

The format of the two best runners-up qualifying for the quarter-finals as the No 7 and No 8 ranked teams has been in operation since the 1999/2000 season — with bonus points coming into the equation in season 2003/2004.

Since then, no team has qualified as a best runner-up with less than 19 points, although in 2003/2004 Celtic Warriors discovered that even 20 points was not sufficient to make the knockout stages.

Meanwhile Connacht three-quarter Keith Matthews is likely to be out until next season after suffering a serious knee injury.

The 24-year-old suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the closing stages of Sunday’s 14-8 defeat to Munster at the Sportsground.

A scan this week will confirm the full extent of the damage and Connacht coach Michael Bradley said: “I think everyone in the ground feared the worst when he got injured. Keith is a quality professional. He faces a tough time in the next few months but I know he will deal with it and will come back in flying form.”