POLICE have dropped their investigation into an alleged on-pitch assault which left a York rugby player fighting for his life.

Tuui Radrava, who plays for York Railway Institute RUFC, suffered a serious brain injury following a clash during a home match against Thornensians RUFC, played at his club’s Holgate home ground three months ago.

Three Thornensians players from Doncaster, a 19-year-old man, a 21-year-old man, and a 23-year-old man, were arrested during the investigation into the injury which Mr Radrava suffered during the first half of the game on September 18.

But a North Yorkshire Police spokesman yesterday said all three men had been released without charge and the force's investigation had now been closed.

“Following inquiries, the men answered bail on Wednesday, December 15, and were told they face no further police action,” he said.

“There will be no further action against them. The case is now with the Rugby Football Union, the sport’s governing body.”

Popular back row player Mr Radrava, 30, who is originally from Fiji and is a private in the Military Provost Guard Service, based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, is now on the road to recovery.

He originally received treatment for his injuries, which police said at the time could be “life-changing”, at Leeds General Infirmary.

His mother flew from his home country to be at her son's side, but has now returned to Fiji.

York RI spokesman Shaun Smith said he met Mr Radrava last week and he was “on the mend”, but is still suffering headaches and is currently at the military’s Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey receiving further treatment and tests.

“He is improving, but he is not out of the woods yet,” said Mr Smith.

“He certainly won’t play again this season.

“If he ever will again, I do not know.”

Mr Smith said it would now be up to the Rugby Football Union to decide if action should be brought against the players.

A disciplinary panel within the organisation has already met to discuss the case, but chose to adjourn until the police investigation was concluded.

Its Injured Players Foundation has offered assistance and support to York RI.

“It will be in the new year now that the disciplinary panels will meet to decide if the players are guilty or not, and no decision has been made yet,” said Mr Smith.

“If they are found guilty, they are facing a hefty ban from the game.”

Following Mr Radrava's injury, the police investigation involved officers appealing for anybody filming the match or with mobile phone or camera footage to contact them.

The incident led to York RI calling off their next scheduled match following the fixture with Thornensians, which is based at Thorne, between Selby and Doncaster.