A South African rugby player will not face criminal charges over an alleged assault on the World Classic pitch.Robbie Kempson was told at a meeting with police yesterday that he will not face action over the incident, which left US player Leif Gibson with a spinal injury on Saturday night.Fly-half Mr Gibson, 34, complained to the police that 38-year-old prop Mr Kempson attacked him when they were “off the ball”.It’s feared that the back injury he suffered when he was knocked over may have ended his playing career.Mr Kempson was arrested at the team hotel early on Monday morning and spent 12 hours in custody.His lawyer, Richard Horseman, said after meeting with the police yesterday: “Mr Kempson was advised by the detective that the Crown would not be proceeding with criminal charges against him for the incident that occurred on the field on Saturday.“We believe that the Crown determined this was an incident that occurred during the scope of the game. Albeit it may have been a foul or off the ball, it was not outside the scope of the game to the extent that it warranted a criminal prosecution.“We are grateful to the Crown for that decision, and I know that Mr Kempson is relieved this matter has been resolved without the need for a criminal prosecution.“Mr Kempson also wishes to thank the Bermuda Police for the professional manner in which they handled the case. Obviously, a criminal complaint was made and needed to be investigated, although of course he wishes he had not been imprisoned for 12 hours.”Mr Kempson was unavailable for comment yesterday. He previously told The Royal Gazette he felt “absolutely terrible” about the injury suffered by Mr Gibson.Mr Horseman said Mr Gibson got hurt just after the US had broken through the South Africa defence for the first time.“Mr Kempson was running back and so was Mr Gibson and they were on the same line as their paths collided. At that point there was contact and Mr Gibson went down and fell in an awkward manner,” said the lawyer.He explained that the injury happened when the US player landed on his neck and his head got twisted back.Mr Horseman said it is rare for police to investigate a clash on a sports pitch during the course of a game.“In my 15 years of experience in Bermuda this is the first time that I have ever seen this, particularly in rugby which is a violent sport. It’s very unusual to have charges brought. When you get on the rugby field, you commit to rough play,” he said.Mr Kempson was sent off after the clash and banned from the rest of the Rugby Classic tournament.South Africa are due to meet France in the final tomorrow, and Mr Horseman said Mr Kempson is in the process of appealing his ban.Mr Gibson flew home to Houston on Tuesday. The US were knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday after losing to France.US team manager Tim Kluempers said Mr Gibbons is now being treated for the injury to a disc in his back. He could not be specific about the exact nature of the injury, but said Mr Gibbons has not been paralysed by it.“The doctor said he doesn’t need surgery right away. They are getting him on different medications and they will operate a couple of weeks from now,” he said.As for the decision to drop the case without charging Mr Kempson, he said: “They have done their due process and there is nothing we can do about it.”A police spokesman said that after a “full investigation” a file was submitted to the Department of Public Prosecutions.“After review, prosecutors have determined that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution. Therefore, the Bermuda Police Service inquiry into this matter has now been completed.”l A video clip of the incident that left Mr Gibson injured can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzUBDLrO_NM&feature=em-share_video_user