Racist violence in rugby: “Saddened and outraged”, the FFR announces “investigations underway”

2023-10-07 10:49:12

The events took place north of Narbonne on October 1 following a meeting between the Entente Fleury-Salles-Coursan and the Foyer Laïque du Haut-Vernet (Regional 1). After the locals’ victory (12-3), supporters of the Entente came to blows with players from the Foyer Laïque.

For many witnesses, the motivation for this impressive fight would be racist. Many insults were uttered, as evidenced by Zinedine and Mohamed, two visiting players, to the online media Loopsider. Friday evening, shortly after the victory against Italy, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) reacted to these attacks. “Saddened and outraged”, she expressed in her press release her “unwavering solidarity and total support for those affected”.

Ongoing investigations

The Federation adds that investigations are underway and that “sports justice has (…) been contacted”. It reserves the right to become a civil party “on a case-by-case basis, for the defense of the general interest of its members”. The FFR has also taken certain decisions: it encourages the presidents of amateur clubs to speak before matches “urging scrupulous respect for general regulations and condemning all forms of racism”.

It also intends to identify repeat offender clubs to “significantly increase the sanctions applied” and send federal representatives to support clubs in the event of recurring problems. The Federation finally announces psychological support for victims with, among other things, the creation of an emergency number.

The next two matches postponed

For its part, the Occitanie Rugby League has decided to postpone “until further notice” the next two meetings of teams “one” and “two” of the two clubs. The Fleury-Salles-Coursan Entente announced that it had taken legal action, as did the SOS Racisme association.