Super Rugby: ARU fines Waratahs forward Jacques Potgieter $10,000 over homophobic slur in match against Brumbies

A contrite Jacques Potgieter has apologised for using a homophobic slur during his side’s match against the Brumbies on Sunday, after he was fined $10,000 by the ARU on Monday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Jacques Potgieter of the Waratahs is tackled during the round six Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on March 22, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

UPDATE: A contrite Jacques Potgieter has apologised for using a homophobic slur during his side’s match against the Brumbies on Sunday, after he was fined $10,000 by the ARU on Monday.

The Waratahs forward admitted to using the derogatory term “f----t” against a Brumbies player.

He has also been given an additional suspended $10,000 fine, which would be imposed if he errs again, but he has not been suspended from any games and is expected to play against the Blues this Saturday.

“I’m very sorry for any offence caused by what I said on the field during a heated encounter,” Potgieter said.

“It was an offhand remark made without thought for the hurt it could cause to those around me.”

Later on Monday night Potgieter issued a longer apology on his Twitter account:

“To all the rugby community, fans and public, “Potgieter wrote.

:I sincerely apologise for the hurtful words spoken during the Brumbies encounter.

In the heat of the moment I regrettably uttered a word, with no intent to discriminate. I respect everyone from all walks of life and would never intentionally hurt or judge anyone, it’s not in my character.”

Brumbies vice-captain David Pocock twice complained to the referee Craig Joubert of gay slurs from NSW during the Super Rugby match at Allianz Stadium, while in the background another Brumbies player could be heard yelling “blue No.6”, the jersey worn by Potgieter.

The abrasive South African import incensed Brumbies players throughout the match with his sledging, but overstepped the mark when he used the derogatory word.

Waratahs Rugby CEO Greg Harris said: “Jacques made an error in judgement, despite having completed the ARU’s Integrity Training, which includes the Member Protection Policy around Inclusion and Racism.”

To all the rugby community, fans and public. I sincerely apologise for the hurtful words spoken… https://t.co/Idoja17hIL

— Jacques Potgieter (@JacquePotgieter) March 23, 2015

“Our players have been educated around the importance of respect and integrity on the field, and this incident was directly in conflict to these values.

“There is no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and we have endeavoured as a club to embody these values on and off the field.

“We pride ourselves on a strong culture, and this incident is by no means definitive of our collective identity as a football club.”

Potgieter’s penalty relates to a breach of the ARU Code of Conduct, which prohibits homophobic or racist comments.

The Brumbies alerted SANZAR to the incident, but the governing body then referred the matter to the ARU on Monday afternoon.

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said: “We take the issue of homophobia in sport seriously and want to provide a positive environment for everyone involved in rugby. Comments of this nature cannot be tolerated.

“Our Inclusion Policy reinforces Australian rugby’s commitment to ensure every individual, whether they’re players, supporters, coaches or administrators, feel safe, welcome and included regardless of race, gender or sexuality.

“I’d like to stress again that there is absolutely no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words on and off the field must reflect that.”

The former Springbok will have to undergo additional awareness training as part of the disciplinary process.

The ARU, Waratahs Rugby, the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) and the player himself, have determined that the matter does not need to be heard by a tribunal and accepted this penalty.

Brumbies players are seething over the alleged verbal baiting from Potgieter throughout Sunday’s match and the next showdown between the two sides on May 1 in Canberra is sure to be more fiery than this last match, which featured several heated shoving exchanges.

Pocock, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, unfairly copped a social media backlash for raising the issue during the game.

The former Wallabies captain is a strong advocate for equal rights and has been outspoken in his denunciation of homophobic attitudes.

He said after the match that his actions were about raising awareness and educating players on their responsibilities.

Waratahs superstar Israel Folau denied any of his teammates are homophobic.

“Certainly not, I don’t see that anywhere within our team and also in rugby in general,” Folau said.

“I think rugby has inclusion.

“Myself, I am a religious guy, where everyone has different backgrounds, cultural and different beliefs, it is a game of inclusion.”

Originally published as Super Rugby: ARU fines Waratahs forward Jacques Potgieter $10,000 over homophobic slur in match against Brumbies