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Cape Town - Former Lions coach Johan Ackermann and his son, Ruan, have been accused of beating up a man in a Cheltenham nightclub last Sunday.
Johan Ackermann left the Lions at the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season to take up his new post as head coach of Gloucester, and shortly after the move his son Ruan joined him at the English club.
The incident in question, which happened after Gloucester's 69-12 win over Italian club Zebre, prompted local police to release the following statement:
"Gloucestershire Constabulary is investigating a report of an incident which happened at the 21 Club in Regent Street, Cheltenham, in the early hours of Sunday morning – December 17.
"The allegation is that there was an altercation between two groups of men, during which one of the men sustained facial injuries.
"The incident was reported just before 1.30am. Police officers arrived shortly afterwards but all those involved had left the scene. Investigating officers will be examining CCTV footage this week and speaking to witnesses. No-one has been arrested."
The Ackermanns, meanwhile, were linked to the incident via social media.
Christina Woods claimed on Facebook that she knew the person who had allegedly been beaten up. She posted pictures of the man with his injuries and then accused Johan and Ruan of attacking him.
"This is a heartbreaking. This lad is my good friends brother, he has autism and was attacked unprovoked!!! This has now left him with a possible bleed on the brain. The scum who did this were 2 "men" who are supposed to be upstanding members of society.. but have now shown they are nothing more than oxygen wasting thugs. They are Ruan ackermann and his father johan ackermann. Police, media, everything possible is being done to get these 2 morona off the thrones they think they sit on, you are NOT above the law. Please share this as far as you can so we can get #justiceforharry !!!!! #autism #attack #unprovoked #ruanackermann #johanackermann #gloucesterrugby," the post read.
England's Daily Mail was reporting on the incident, saying that Gloucester were aware of the situation but that they were not prepared to comment as yet.
