Azam considers libel action
April 5, 2002

Gloucester and France hooker Olivier Azam is considering taking libel action over claims he racially abused an opponent during a domestic match.

Azam was cleared late Thursday of making the comments by a specially convened Rugby Football Union inquiry. He was alleged to have made racist remarks toward Newcastle's Tongan flanker Epi Taione during a match at Kingsholm on Dec. 29.

Both players were sent off following the second of two ugly brawls involving several players from both sides.

Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew later accused Azam (pictured) of making the racist remarks in a newspaper column. Andrew, a former England outside half, also claimed there was a racist element in the Kingsholme crowd.

The RFU inquiry, headed by Michael Beloff, cleared both Azam and the Gloucester crowd and Azam's lawyer said he was considering taking legal action.

"I will be meeting Olivier next week to further discuss whether any further action is to be taken on his behalf with particular reference to comments made in the media," Azam's lawyer John Partridge told The Guardian newspaper.

Belloff said the alleged racial abuse by Azam was limited to a single incident. "We have found that the evidence in support of that allegation is insufficient to justify further disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Azam," he said.

"We concluded that Mr Taione is the only player or official who claims to have heard the racially abusive words, which Mr. Azam has always denied uttering.

"We acquit Gloucester, the club and its supporters of racism."

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