Liskeard-Looe Rugby Football Club has suspended one of its under-15 players for controversial material he posted on a social networking internet site.

It comes just days after the club was fined £2,500 by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for offensive material published in a match day programme.

The RFU contacted the club after it was made aware of content posted on the teenager's Bebo site.

The club convened a meeting and started preliminary investigations, following the phone call about the material, which has since been removed.

Protect

'He is a minor and has been with the club for a little while,' said club spokesman Andrew Deacon. 'We have yet to see him but some questions need answering and investigations need to be made.

'The committee members are trying to protect the players as much as possible because they are young chaps.'

The club was heavily criticised over the match day programme by Liskeard Town Council last week.

The club has published an apology for the contents of the programme which was produced by a now banned person who has not been named by the club.

Despite the controversy, the team is staying focused for the biggest moment in the history of the club. The players are preparing to play at Twickenham in the EDF Junior Vase Final after a hard-fought home win.

'While I agree that the inclusion of such material in the programme for the EDF semi was stupid and an extremely silly thing to do, there is no point in blaming the players for this debacle and wanting to punish them,' said Looe town mayor Ron Overd.

Crass

'These young men have worked hard all season for their chance, and probably their only chance ever, to play at the holy of holies of English rugby, Twickenham, and for them to be deprived of that opportunity by the crass and unthinking behaviour of one or two people who should have known better would have been a bitter pill, indeed, to swallow.'

Mr Deacon added: 'We are trying to keep focused for the Vase and this is clutter we could do without.'

The incident has clouded the win against Lowestoft and Yarmouth in the competition.

A number of people have written to the Cornish Times in support of the players.

John Batey, of Liskeard, said: 'A huge crowd witnessed one of the most exciting games ever seen at Lux Park, and the hard-earned victory reflects great credit on both the players and the coaching staff.

'Let us applaud the outstanding achievement of our rugby club.'

Ray and Rosemarie Goodright from St Cleer said: 'It is time to get behind the players and give them the support they deserve for getting to the national final of the EDF Vase.'

Colin Cotton from Looe said: 'Well done to all of the age groups in the Looe and Liskeard Rugby Club. Now go out and win it lads.'

Shame

Mr Overd added: 'We in Looe share the disgust of Liskeard and I said at the time the story broke that the perpetrators should hang their heads in shame, but please let us lay the blame where it belongs, at doors of the authors and the management of the club for failing to properly supervise the publication, but certainly not the players who deserve their well-earned stab at glory.'

The team face Brighton at Twickenham on May 9.