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RFU won't punish over autobiographies

22.11.07

The Rugby Football Union will not take action against Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt over critical comments the two rugby players made in their recent books, but said it would review its rules on autobiographies.

Dallaglio and Catt both criticised the organisation of England's World Cup campaign this autumn and coach Brian Ashton in their autobiographies--It's in the Blood and Landing on My Feet respectively--leading to extensive media coverage.

An RFU statement read: "Chief executive Francis Baron OBE and elite rugby director Rob Andrew MBE have completed their review of the books recently released by Lawrence Dallaglio MBE and Mike Catt MBE.

"The RFU management board has decided in all the circumstances not to refer the matter to the RFU disciplinary officer and no further action in respect of the books or of their newspaper serialisation will be taken. Both players have been informed accordingly.
"The RFU has taken into account the recent public comments made by both players, who accept that the timing of the release of the books was not ideal, and the widespread criticism the players and the book extracts, relating to the RWC 2007, received, especially from the media."

According to the Daily Telegraph, the RFU confirmed that they will continue to review the squad rules regarding autobiographies.

RFU rugby Sports autobiography

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