2023-09-05 07:52:39
International rugby bodies are seizing the controversy surrounding Bastien Chalureau. Summoned to replace Paul Willemse, injured, the second line of Montpellier was sentenced in 2020 by the Toulouse criminal court to a six-month suspended prison sentence for “acts of violence with the circumstance that these were committed due to the race or ethnicity of the victim”. Bastien Chalureau, 31, six selections, denies having uttered racist insults, but his selection has caused a stir around the XV of France.
“Racism has no place in rugby,” said World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin, before adding: “In France, there is a judicial principle, which is that of the presumption of innocence, which we must respect”. The manager also insisted on the “values of inclusion” carried by rugby four days before the opening of the World Cup. Bastien Chalureau appealed, we must let justice be done and go to the end of this judicial decision, that is our position”, replied the president of the French Federation Florian Grill, during the opening press conference. of the Mondial-2023.
“He categorically denies”, “we must let justice do its job, respecting the presumption of innocence, while recalling that the values of equality, fraternity, are not negotiable, and that there is no there is obviously no place in sport as elsewhere for racist remarks or acts ”, added the French Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
In a letter addressed to the minister, two rebellious deputies (LFI) François Piquemal and Thomas Portes, believe “that at this stage of the judicial investigation, summoning the player was not relevant for the France team and its cohesion. “. “Recall that three other French internationals (Romain Taofifenua, Sekou Macalou and Sipili Falatea) were, last March, victims of racist comments about their presence in the France team from Internet users”, add the two parliamentarians, considering that “in this context, it seems appropriate to us that the non-selection of Bastien Chalureau be seriously considered. Another possibility being that the player and the Federation publicly announce that they are ready for a strong long-term commitment against racism, ”they conclude.
The XV of France, poured into group A, begins Friday evening the World Cup 2023 with an opening shock against New Zealand, triple world champion.
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