‘Ridiculously stupid' Barbarians Covid breaches will not be investigated by police
Footage emerged on social media over the weekend showing a group from the invitational club engaging in a drinking session at the Running Horse pub in Mayfair.
It was one of two nights out that resulted in last Sunday’s non-cap international against England being cancelled, costing the Rugby Football Union in the region of £1million in lost broadcast and sponsorship revenue.
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Hide AdScotland winger Sean Maitland and former England captain Chris Robshaw were present with Jackson Wray, Joel Kpoku, Fergus McFadden and Manu Vunipola, amongst others, and the group appeared to break a number of coronavirus regulations.
However, the Metropolitan Police have declined to look into the players’ misconduct, which England’s World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward described as “ridiculously stupid”.
“The Met will not investigate Covid breaches retrospectively unless they are the most dangerous and flagrant breaches of the regulations. The Met is not investigating this incident,” a statement read.
Maitland has not been included in Scotland’s squad to face Wales this weekend as a result of his Covid breach.
The RFU is still investigating the events of last week and is expected to issue disrepute charges against a number of players by Friday.
All cases would be heard by an independent disciplinary panel appointed by the RFU, which is likely to convene for the first time next week.
Five players including Robshaw and his former England team-mate Richard Wigglesworth apologised on social media for breaching protocols.