Azam demands apology from Andrew
April 7, 2002

Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam has demanded an apology from Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew to prevent him launching legal action over a racism slur.

Azam was last week cleared by a Rugby Football Union investigation into Andrew's allegation that he racially abused Newcastle's Epi Taione during a Zurich Premiership clash at Kingsholm in December.

The French hooker, who came on as a replacement during yesterday's Grand Slam-sealing 44-5 victory over Ireland in Paris, has just completed a five-match ban after being sent off for fighting during the game.

But it was Andrew's post-match accusations which have caused Azam the most pain, and he is set to meet Gloucester officials tomorrow to decide whether to take legal action after the RFU failed to find any evidence to back up Andrew's claims.

"If he apologises, either to me personally or through the press, that would be sufficient for me," said the 27-year-old.

"This has been the worst experience I have ever had in rugby.

"When he made the initial comments he was very angry and I can understand that. But what I find it difficult to accept was that he kept repeating them during the following weeks.

"I spoke with Epi Taione for 10 minutes at the hearing last week and there are no problems between us. We both just wanted to get it finished and carry on with our careers.

"But I haven't spoken to Rob Andrew - I don't think it's down to me. His comments created a big story for nothing. It's difficult to handle being accused of something like that.

"It is for him to say he is sorry now, but I appreciate it must be hard because he is a big personality within the game."

Azam was also fined by both the RFU and his club over the dismissal, but is due to return to action on Wednesday as Gloucester bid to keep their flickering Premiership title hopes alive with a victory at Wasps.

It will mark the end of a good week for Azam, who replaced Raphael Ibanez for the final five minutes of yesterday's victory at the Stade de France.

"It was a fantastic feeling to be on the pitch at the end," he said.

"I didn't know I was going to get on but obviously I was delighted to get the chance.

"We have deserved to win the title this year because we have beaten everyone else in the past two months.

"But I do feel a bit sorry for England because they are still a very good team.

"We were better than them on one day, but it is a shame for them that last year's competition was disrupted.

"If they had played Ireland when they were supposed to, rather than in October, I'm pretty sure they would have won a Grand Slam too."

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