The Panthers Rugby Club has been suspended by the Golden Lions Rugby Union after an alleged racial attack on rivals from the Soweto Rugby Club.

The union said it had suspended the club after the GLRU anti-racism and development committees had met to review statements from those involved in the incident during a match in Edenvale.

"After deliberation it was decided that in terms of the mandate of this committee, it has been recommended that the Panthers Rugby Club and its members be suspended from all GLRU activities with immediate effect," the provincial union said.

The club would also be subject to further action after evidence and reports were submitted to the GLRU disciplinary committee.

Half a dozen Soweto Rugby Club players were reported to have been injured in the attack, allegedly by Panthers players and spectators, towards the end of their President's League game at the weekend.

Both clubs said they had been racially abused by players on the opposing sides.

"The GLRU again states very clearly that it will not tolerate any forms of brutality, hate speech or racism, and will take the strongest actions to remove this scourge from our rugby," the provincial union said.

SAPA