Last week, Danny Cipriani was fined £2,000 by Jersey’s Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to assault and resisting arrest following an incident in town during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Cipriani had been drinking with his teammates at The Royal Yacht hotel following a pre-season training session with Jersey Reds when he became involved in a dispute with head doorman Joaquim Pereira after trying to take drinks off the premises.
Mr Pereira activated his bodyworn camera, which was attached to his tie, before Cipriani pulled it off and walked away.
After telling police about the incident, an officer attempted to apprehend the rugby star outside the Pomme d’Or Hotel. However, with one arm in a handcuff he pushed towards the officer and grabbed hold of her shirt, causing bruising to her right bicep and reddening to her chest.
The court also heard how Cipriani, who plays for Gloucester Rugby, continued to struggle, even as he was put into the back of a police van.
In a statement a club spokesman said half of the fine it had imposed would go to the club’s chosen charity, Pied Piper, which supports disabled children in Gloucestershire. The other half would go to Restart Rugby, an organisation which supports players who sustain serious injuries.
Cipriani will also be required to complete ten hours of ‘community service’ coaching Gloucestershire children and will also help the city’s homeless.
‘Having reviewed all the facts and spoken to both Danny and [captain] Willi Heinz, who witnessed the events first hand, we are in agreement with the Magistrate in Jersey that this was a minor incident,’ the spokesman said. ‘While Danny is very apologetic for his actions, we do not believe he is guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and he will continue to get our full support. Danny has now faced disciplinary action from both the courts and his club and, with the new season about to kick off, our focus is very much on preparing for Northampton on 1 September, so we will not be making any further comments on this matter.’
Cipriani has also previously apologised on social media for his actions.
The fly-half was also due to attend a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday evening with the Rugby Football Union to explain ‘conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game’.
