Toulouse v Ulster

[Em-Forcer]

Well, that's what you get for knocking my French. Nothing wrong with Scottish French - remember the Auld Alliance!

[Burgs]

Brennan charged over fan incident

From correspondents in Dublin, c/o Fox Sports
January 26, 2007

TOULOUSE lock Trevor Brennan faces misconduct charges for his role in an incident with an Ulster fan during last weekend's match at the French club's Ernest Wallon stadium.

Brennan's Wales international teammate Gareth Thomas faces similiar charges for his role in the controversial incident where the second rower was seen clashing with a visiting fan as he leant over from the touchline.

European Rugby Cup (ERC), in a statement issued from their Dublin headquarters on Thursday, said: "Trevor Brennan will answer a misconduct complaint under the Heineken Cup 2006-2007 Disciplinary Rules, in that he allegedly entered one of the seating areas of the stadium and assaulted a spectator during the Toulouse and Ulster rugby match.''

Thomas faces the lesser charges of allegedly engaging in "aggressive exchanges with spectators and/or aggressively attempted to enter one of the seating areas and/or made an offensive hand gesture towards spectators".

The ERC said an independent disciplinary committee would be appointed as "soon as is practicable".

If found guilty both players face the prospect of a ban.

In Thomas's case that could see him ruled out of Wales matches during this season's Six Nations, which starts a week on Saturday.

Earlier this week, Toulouse complained to ERC about the conduct of Ulster's fans. The governing body said it would "conduct further investigation into the behaviour of a section of Ulster Rugby's supporters at the match and Toulouse's (Stade Toulousain) alleged failure to control their players with regard to the incident".

A decision on any misconduct complaints to be brought against the clubs would follow the conclusion of the investigation, the statement said.

Former three-time European champion Toulouse said a small group of Ulster fans had barracked Brennan, sang disparaging songs about his mother and then threw beer over him when he approached them when the 33-year-old forward, who won the last of his 13 Ireland caps six years ago, approached them.

While his actions were "inexcusable'', Toulouse said, it was "humanly understandable ... given the repeated and indefensible provocation'' he received.

"Such supporters have no place in any sporting arena and even less so in a rugby stadium,'' the club said.

Ulster was also unhappy with Brennan's role in a brawl with the Irish province's Australian second rower Justin Harrison during the match itself.

The pair were sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes by English referee Tony Spreadbury when the scores were level at 13-13 in a match Toulouse went on to win 28-13.

Neither club qualified for the quarter-finals out of Pool Five where Welsh region Llanelli was the only team to make it through to the last eight.

AAP

[ulster_jamesie]

dunno know if any of y'all heard this... it's a now 'infamous phone-in' on RTÉ (republic of ireland state TV/radio) in which i took part. judge for yourselves: http://www.uafc.co.uk/duffy.mp3

it includes:

on brennan's side:

1. trevor brennan's uncle, who was quite frankly a bitter character who accused us of sectarian abuse (which brennan himself has said didn't happen) he also accused us (people from northern ireland) of being a 'different breed'

2. some clampit that said brennan was nice to his mammy, so wasn't capable of beating the pap out of paddy bamford

3. an irish celebrity 'hector o'heochagain' (see below) who basically impies that there's a viciousness about us that isn't in any other fans




the ulster fans view:

1. me (right in pic below)

2. my mate mike (middle in pic below)

http://jamesrea3842.fotopic.net/p38012416.html

3. an eyewitness account from a BBC reporter

[Burgs]

If Thomas got four matches for his part then Brennan is truely stuffed!!!

Forward faces assault charge

From correspondents in Dublin, c/o FoxSport
February 27, 2007

FORMER Ireland lock Trevor Brennan will face a disciplinary committee on March 16 to answer a misconduct charge for an alleged assault on a spectator during a European Cup tie.

The Toulouse player's attempt to have the hearing delayed failed overnight.

Brennan is alleged to have entered a stand during Toulouse's 28-13 European Cup home win over Ulster last month and punched a supporter, who has now begun criminal and civil proceedings against the player.

Brennan's representatives argued for an adjournment on the grounds any hearing could prejudice possible criminal proceedings in France and affect his right to silence.

The 33-year-old, who had previously indicated he would retire at the end of the northern hemisphere season, is now facing the prospect of a premature end to his career should the committee impose a lengthy ban.

On Saturday, the French Rugby Federation banned Brennan until March 15 - the day before the hearing.

Brennan is alleged to have struck Patrick Bamford, leaving the 25-year-old accountant requiring medical treatment at the ground and on his return home to London.

Brennan claimed he was provoked by derogatory chants during the game.

Earlier this month Brennan's Toulouse teammate, Gareth Thomas, was banned for four weeks for his part in an incident during the same match.

The former Wales captain was found guilty of misconduct after admitting to flicking his middle finger at Ulster supporters during the match, and was also found guilty of attempting to jump into the crowd.

The ban meant Thomas was unavailable for Wales's Six Nations defeats by Ireland, Scotland and France this month.

Agence France-Presse