Collymore to be charged after Dublin street brawl

Former soccer star Stan Collymore is to be charged with assault following a fight with English rugby players on a Dublin street, it was confirmed today.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has found the 33-year-old former Liverpool and Aston Villa player should be prosecuted for common assault on Bath player Robbie Fleck.

A garda source said: “That is the only charge that has been directed.”

Collymore had complained to gardaí that he was attacked by six players and racially abused by South African International rugby player, Fleck.

However, gardaí confirmed all of the Bath players have been cleared of any criminal involvement in the incident last October outside a fast-food restaurant.

The bust-up happened when Collymore was in Dublin for an interview last October to promote his autobiography.

The former Premiership player said he became involved in a fight with members of the Bath rugby team outside a fast-food restaurant. Collymore had alleged he was provoked by racial abuse which started when he bumped into the players in Lillies Bordello nightclub.

Collymore had alleged he suffered a broken nose and bruised ribs in the late-night street brawl.

Gardaí interviewed all 10 Bath rugby players over the incident and took statements.

A garda source said: “The file was sent to the DPP and it directed that Stan Collymore should be prosecuted for common assault on Robert Fleck, a Bath player.”

Gardaí have informed Collymore’s solicitor of the pending charge.

However, the garda source said: “Early indications from Robbie Fleck and the Bath rugby team’s solicitor are that they never intended to pursue any criminal prosecution. They just wanted their names cleared and Fleck was particularly anxious to clear his name.”

Fleck, 25, was said to be very concerned at the allegation that he had used the term “kaffir” – which is a serious derogatory term in South Africa. He has always denied calling Collymore a “kaffir“.

A garda source said: “He is a south African international and his family live there and when he is finished in England he is going to travel back there. This would have had serious results.”

Gardaí are awaiting written confirmation from the Bath player’s solicitor to indicate they will not be pursuing a criminal trial and the State Law offices would then be informed of any decision.

Authorities here will not use an extradition order to force Collymore to appear.

Gardaí have confirmed that if the criminal matter is pursued, a trial could be held if Collymore willingly travelled back to Dublin or was arrested on visiting to Ireland in the future.