A Lions Legends player has left the island after an alleged indecent exposure incident at the World Rugby Classic on Saturday evening.

Organisers of the international sporting event have also acknowledged they are aware of social-media posts alleging that visiting players used offensive and racist language at a hotel.

A widely shared video clip appears to show the indecent exposure incident during the international sporting event at the North Field, National Sports Centre, in Devonshire.

John Kane, the president of the tournament, which remains under way, said that he found out about the video on Sunday evening and intended to ban the player from the tournament.

He said he received an e-mail from Allan Martin, the Lions manager, before he had the chance to do so, informing him that the player had already been sent home.

Mr Kane has since confirmed that the player has been expelled from the tournament.

Mr Martin told The Royal Gazette that the player in question left of his own accord. Mr Martin downplayed the incident as “an overreaction”.

Police have initiated an investigation into the matter and are appealing for witnesses, in particular a woman who was filmed in the clip attempting to stop the man, and the person recording the incident.

It is an offence under the Criminal Code Act to exhibit any indecent show or performance in a public place. An offender can be fined $500 or imprisoned for six months.

The man from the British team, formerly known as the Classic Lions, stood naked before mounting a mechanical bull in operation at a hospitality tent Mr Kane said was occupied by Frontier, a management company.

Mr Kane said: “I found out about it on Sunday night. I didn’t know about it before that. I wanted to find out who it was. I received an e-mail from the manager of the Lions who told me it was one of their players.

“We were going to ban him from the grounds and tournament but the Lions manager pre-empted it by sending him home.

“The player is not on the island.”

Mr Kane said that participating rugby players were usually not permitted to enter corporate tents at the classic unless they are invited.

He added: “We take a dim view of any players going into the hospitality areas. The only time they can go is when they get an invite, which we get and pass on to those at check in.

“We take a very serious view when they go in and don’t behave.”

Mr Martin said that he did not send the player home but had a conversation with him and the player decided to return home.

Mr Martin said: “I left it to him — I gave him the opportunity to make his own decision, and he made the decision to go. He has a thriving business back home.

“I’m disappointed for the player. It’s unfortunate he had a drink and took his clothes off, but this is an over-reaction. The worst thing is that the video has been shared around.

“Compared to some of the things that have happened over here, it is very minor. He was just having a laugh.“

A spokeswoman for Frontier said: "Frontier is continuing to co-operate with the police."

Mr Kane said the World Rugby Classic was also taking seriously alleged racist comments apparently made by visiting players.

He issued a statement, which said: “We have spoken with the individual who posted the comments to gather as much information as possible.

“We have spoken with management at the hotel to try and obtain CCTV footage of who was involved and any further information available.

“We reached out to Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda to seek their advice on how to best manage the situation and will work with them on this issue.

“All team managers have been contacted and it has been expressed very clearly that any type of offensive or racist behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with harshly.”

Claims that two men, apparently visiting rugby players, used a racial slur as they arrived at a popular hotel emerged after a woman helping to manage the entrance for a birthday party posted about it on social media.

The Facebook post on Sunday by Roxanne Christopher, who attended the party at the Coco Reef Resort in Paget, expressed shock after she claimed two players from an unknown team were said to have used a racial slur upon entering the hotel.

Ms Christopher said she was assisting at the main entrance at about 12.30am when the group pulled up in two taxis.

According to her post, which was subsequently pulled from Facebook, the players looked inside, with one stating there were “too many n*****s here” and a second repeating the slur. The group then left.

Ms Christopher wrote that there were “very few words to describe my shock at their diatribe when describing my people”.

She said that she intended to write to the Bermuda Tourism Authority as well as rugby sponsors, adding: “Truly a heartbreaking experience to witness in Bermuda in 2023.”

She declined to comment further when contacted by The Royal Gazette.

Coco Reef condemned the alleged incident. General manager Daniela Jindra said she was “quite shocked” at the encounter described.

“I was just informed about it by one of my staff,” Ms Jindra said.

“Although I know the security teams well, nobody brought anything to my attention yesterday. I was present at the event the whole time yesterday.

“As these players returned inside the taxis and drove off, they are for sure not staying with us.”

Ms Jindra described it as “a fun night” of celebration, with five security guards present.

She added: “There were no incidents between party guests and in-house guests.

“I agree; a truly heartbreaking experience to witness in Bermuda in 2023.”

On the alleged indecent exposure incident, police said anyone with information should call the main police number on 295-0011 or speak with a police officer they know.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information on what transpired should contact Acting Detective Superintendent Sherwin Joseph by calling 717-2158 or emailing jsherwin@bps.bm.

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