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Rugby

18th Nov 2018

Former Wales and Lions star Gareth Thomas victim of ‘hate crime’ in Cardiff

James Dawson

The rugby player described the attack as a ‘hate crime’

Former Wales and Lions rugby player Gareth Thomas has posted a video to social media saying he was a victim of an alleged homophobic attack on Saturday night.

Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, said he was posting the video to spread a “positive message” in the aftermath of the alleged hate crime.

“This morning I decided to make what I hope will be a positive video,” Thomas said.

“Last night I was the victim in my home city of a hate crime for my sexuality.

“Why I want it to be positive because I want to say thank you to the police who were involved and have allowed me to do restorative justice with the people who did this because I thought they could learn more this way than any other way.

“And also to the people of Cardiff who supported me and helped me because there’s a lot of people out there who want to hurt us. But, unfortunately for them, there’s a lot more who want to help us heal. So this, I hope, will be a positive message.”

SportsJOE has approached South Wales Police for comment.

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