Keith Earls and Munster Rugby have issued a press release relating to the matter.
On MondayKeith Earls issued a statement apologising to Glasgow Warriors player Fraser Brown and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) for comments he made in the weeks after the emotionally charged Champions Cup tie between Munster and Glasgow at Thomond Park.
Earls had claimed that the hooker could have “done more to protect himself” when being brought to ground in a dangerous tackle by the Limerick man, a challenge which resulted in red card.
Brown subsequently displayed his annoyance over the comments made by Earls.
WATCH: Keith Earls red carded for spear tackle, but not everyone agrees with the call https://t.co/7reXPHrkO7
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It seems that Munster Rugby and Earls himself want to put the matter to bed with the issuing of the following statement.
“I wish to address my part in the Champions Cup Munster v Glasgow Warriors game and a subsequent interview I held, as the incident in question has rumbled on for a number of weeks and in addressing this I hope to put to bed a matter that has escalated because of my own doing.
“In a poorly worded interview on my part I failed to acknowledge that I apologised to Fraser Brown for my actions during the Munster v Glasgow Warriors game. I also failed to confirm that I acknowledged I had committed an act of foul play, and fully accepted the corresponding sanction, apologising to Glasgow Warriors and EPCR for my conduct.
“I have since written to EPCR once again confirming my acceptance of the disciplinary decision and outcome. I have also addressed the misunderstanding directly with Fraser and unreservedly apologised again for my actions and the wording I used during the interview.
“I hope this paints a clearer picture for all and I believe it is important October 22nd in Thomond Park is remembered for the right reasons and not for something I deeply regret.”
Earls was clearly fired up for the province’s first game since the death of Anthony Foley and was frustrated at not having an opportunity to contribute to the famous win.
This may go someway to explaining his comments, which blamed Fraser for his red card.
“The way he went, I thought he was going for it a small bit, to be honest with you. I spoke to him and he said he was just trying to protect himself,” he said.
“I felt I was cheated really going off the pitch; they denied me an opportunity to put in a performance for my head coach and the Munster supporters, so I kind of lost it a bit coming off the pitch.”
Fraser took exception to Earls’ comments.
“If you do something wrong, it’s being big enough to put your hand up and say you got something wrong. So for me, it’s disappointing he could come out and put the blame somewhere else,” he said.
Judging by Earls’ statement he, or someone advising him, agreed with the Glasgow man.
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