Toulouse forward and former Ireland international Trevor Brennan will have until February 26th to prepare his defence against misconduct charges brought by the European Rugby Cup.
Brennan allegedly entered a seating area of the Stade Ernest Wallon and assaulted a spectator during Toulouse's European Cup match against Ulster Rugby on Sunday, January 21st.
The former St Mary's College forward claimed that his mother had been the subject of some abuse by members of the Ulster crowd. It is a charge that has been strenuously denied by Ulster Rugby and the fan who has now issued criminal proceedings against Brennan.
Patrick Bamford has instructed a lawyer in France to pursue criminal and civil proceedings against the player and he is also taking libel action against a number of news organisations which reported the incident.
Brennan today applied to the ERC for further time to prepare his arguments against the charge and the Independent Disciplinary Committee agreed to adjourn until Monday, February 26th.
TV footage showed Brennan marching into the crowd, confronting, and allegedly punching, Bamford during the clash. Brennan has since apologised for the incident.
A statement released on Wednesday by Mr Bamford, who lives and works in London, read: "Following the violent attack on me a fortnight ago during which I suffered a number of injuries, I can confirm that I have instructed a lawyer in France to pursue criminal and civil proceedings against Mr Brennan."
He said he was also taking action against a number of media outlets which he accused of publishing false and damaging claims about his role in the incident.
"I am taking legal action against these organisations for the damage they have inflicted on my reputation," he said.
Mr Bamford added: "To attend a rugby match as an innocent spectator and be the victim of this particularly vicious physical assault was extremely shocking in itself, but to then have to be subjected to false claims about my behaviour was the final straw, leaving me with no alternative but to place the matter in the hands of libel lawyer Paul Tweed, to take the appropriate legal action."
Last week Brennan succeeded in having his ERC hearing over the incident adjourned after he was granted a temporary High Court injunction.
Brennan was concerned for his rights if the hearing was "steamrolled through", prior to the determination of any action taken by Bamford.
