Cape Town - Members of the Chiefs Super Rugby training squad allegedly abused two female parking wardens at Steele Park in Hamilton on Wednesday.
A Hamilton City Council spokesperson confirmed the news to the Stuff.co.za website.
After news broke of the incident, Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie released the following statement on the franchise’s official website:
The team were at a training yesterday at a public park where some team members had parked vehicles that received parking tickets.
The majority of players had travelled by bicycle and the Hamilton City Council has raised with us that inappropriate comments were made as some were leaving voicing frustration at the situation.
The team has been questioned today and say that while the comments were not directed at the parking wardens, they apologise sincerely for any distress caused to the wardens involved.
The Chiefs have been in discussions with Hamilton City Council and wholeheartedly support them in their stance against poor behaviour toward any of their staff.
Last year, the Chiefs also made headlines when it was reported that they hired a stripper for their post-season celebrations. The stripper told a New Zealand radio station that the players were drunk, swore at her and touched her inappropriately.
The two-time Super Rugby champions start their Super Rugby campaign away to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, February 24.
BREAKING: Statement from Dave Rennie, Chiefs Rugby Club Head Coach, regarding an incident that occurred Wednesday 11th January. pic.twitter.com/0H1KGCjqwz
— Chiefs Rugby (@ChiefsRugby) January 12, 2017