Collymore claim 'unfounded'- club

Stan Collymore has retired from professional football

Bath Rugby Club says claims by Stan Collymore that he was racially abused by one of its players are "unfounded".

The former England and Liverpool footballer says he was verbally and physically attacked in Dublin on Sunday after a row in a nightclub.

Bath RFC's director of rugby, Jack Rowell, told the BBC an inquiry by the club found no evidence a team member had racially abused Mr Collymore.

He said the Garda were dealing with any allegations of physical abuse.

Bath were in the Irish capital after losing to Leinster in a Heineken Cup match at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Mr Collymore, who lives in Staffordshire, was in the country to appear on a TV show with Irish premier Bertie Ahern's novelist daughter Cecilia.

It is understood the ex-football star had an exchange of words with a group including some of the club's players in exclusive nightclub Lillie's Bordello, just off Grafton Street, and later clashed with them after meeting by chance at a fast food outlet.

Garda investigation

He is thought to have suffered a suspected broken nose in the incident.

A Garda spokesman confirmed officers were investigating an incident in Grafton Street at 0330 GMT on Sunday.

"A man was treated at St James's Hospital for facial injuries after the incident," he said, adding that the man had made a complaint to officers at Pearse Street station in the city.

No-one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Mr Collymore's agent Simon Kennedy claimed the former player had been the victim of an unprovoked attack.

"It is his present intention to make criminal complaints as a result of the incident and he is presently taking legal advice on that issue," Mr Kennedy said.

The Rugby Football Union said in a statement: "At this stage the RFU is monitoring the matter carefully and has asked Bath for a copy of their report to be forwarded with their recommendations to the RFU's disciplinary officer at their earliest convenience."