A Saracens academy player has left an ECB staffer needing stitches and calls for Ben Stokes to lose the captaincy after an altercation in a Chelsea nightclub.
The incident came during a night out following an end of season party as Saracens season came to an end when they failed to beat the Exeter Chiefs and finished fifth in the table.
The story has been reported by the Telegraph, initially naming the two cricketers, but they later also named the rugby players involved.
What do we know so far?
England star cricketers Gus Atkinson and captain Ben Stokes were out in the Chelsea nightclub following their first test win over New Zealand, while the Saracens team were out for their end of season party. The cricketers were out after a new curfew when the incident took place.
After a verbal altercation between the cricketers and members of the Saracens academy, one rugby player tried to launch a punch at Atkinson. The punch missed Atkinson but caught an ECB handler who was with the pair. The staff member required stitches but neither cricketer required any treatment.
What have Saracens said on the incident?
More of the details of the incident have come relating to Stokes and Atkinson, but Saracens have commented.
“We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening,” the club said.
“The club is currently establishing the full facts and is in contact with the relevant authorities and individuals involved. Once this process is complete, the matter will be reviewed and addressed appropriately.”
Impact of the incident moving forward
While the cricketing stars were named straight away, the name of the Saracens academy was initially not named.
It has since been announced that the player who threw the punch was 21 year old prop Totoa Auvaa.
Fellow Saracens players Ben Earl and Theo McFarland were present but are believed not to be involved.
For the young player this obviously raises massive questions about his character and how he places himself in public situations. The Telegraph article claimed that the player had a reputation for incidents.
Initial reports that Ben Stokes may be left out of the second test against New Zealand, where there have also been calls for him to be stripped of the captaincy going forward.
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