Guinea-born prop Cherif Traorè received a rotten banana from a teammate. He was suspended by the club.
The Italian rugby federation (FIR) and the Benetton club of Treviso announced on Thursday the opening of an investigation and the provisional suspension of a player after an act of racism against his teammate of Guinean origin, who had received a banana as a Christmas present.
«The federal prosecutor has launched the investigations necessary to establish the facts, as well as the collective and individual responsibilities, to protect the founding values and the reputation of the game“Said the FIR and Benetton in a joint press release.
At the same time, the club hasdecided to suspend one of its members as a precautionary measure, for the duration of the investigations“Adds the press release, without specifying the identity of the player concerned.
Contacted by AFP, the club confirmed that it was a player of the team and not a member of the staff.
On Wednesday, Cherif Traorè, a 28-year-old pillar of Guinean descent, revealed on Instagram that one of his club teammates had given him a rotten banana, as players gathered to celebrate Christmas in advance and gave each other gifts. anonymously.
Denouncing a “shocking gesture“, Cherif Traorè – who has since received many messages of support – explained “do not remain silent this time, so that incidents like this do not happen again».
After these revelations, the team and the management were reunited and the players presented their apologies to Traorè, which the latter accepted, the club said on Wednesday, which reiterated its “firm condemnation of any expression of racism».
The United Rugby Championship (URC), the championship of the Scottish, Irish, Welsh and Italian provinces, said on Thursday that it had asked Benetton to provide it with a full report on the incident and the disciplinary action that will be taken by the club.