Tunisia respond to Zimbabwe’s claims as hotel dispute rumbles on

The Tunisia Rugby Union have hit out at the Zimbabwe team following their complaints over accommodation standards in Beja.

Zimbabwe’s players were pictured sleeping on the streets in protest at the condition of the hotel they had been due to stay in ahead of a Rugby Africa Gold Cup fixture against Tunisia.

World Rugby drew attention to the issue and Rugby Africa then apologised on behalf of itself and the Tunisia Rugby Union, sending an executive member to the city to assess the accommodation.

But Tunisia Rugby Union have responded to the situation, claiming the Zimbabwe team “started complaining as soon as they arrived” in a statement distributed by APO Group.

A lengthy release gave an account of the Sables’ arrival in the country, disputing claims from the players that they had gone hungry and stating that the visitors’ complaints centred around “the state of the bathroom in one of the rooms, the lack of a swimming pool and the low internet speed”.

“[The head of the delegation] asked all the members of the delegation to take out their luggage, leave the hotel and spend the night outside on the ground,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, local officials tried to talk and negotiate with the head of the delegation but remained unsuccessful.”

The official release concluded: “Tunisia Rugby Union expresses its deep regret for this unfortunate event and strongly deplores the anti-sports and unethical actions of the Zimbabwean delegation which do not reflect the strong ties of friendship between the two countries.

“Tunisia is, and will always be, a country of hospitality, always proven and that will make its pride.”

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