Rugby: Oudéa-Castéra demands respect for the presumption of innocence for Chalureau

2023-09-03 21:52:00

The player appealed his conviction for acts of racist violence. He was called up to the France team to compete in the World Cup.

By NJ with AFP The Minister of Sports defended Bastien Chalureau, called up for the Rugby World Cup. © XOSE BOUZAS / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP Published on 09/03/2023 at 9:52 p.m.

For Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, there should be no controversy. Sunday September 3, the Minister of Sports reacted to the selection of Bastien Chalureau in the French rugby team. She believes that “while awaiting the final court decision, everyone must let justice do its job calmly, respecting the presumption of innocence”.

The second line of Montpellier, 31, 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 because of race or gender. ‘ethnicity of the victim’.

“Representing Republican Values”

“The minister was able to speak with Florian Grill, president of the French Rugby Federation, and with Raphaël Ibanez, general manager of the Blues, who confirmed to her that an exchange had taken place on the subject between Bastien Chalureau and the staff of the XV of France”, adds a press release from the ministry. “The Minister was able to ensure that the player, who appealed his conviction at first instance, maintains his version of the facts and still formally denies having made racist remarks, which is why he made this appeal”.

READ ALSORugby World Cup: the selection of Bastien Chalureau, convicted of racist aggression, is controversialAmélie Oudéa-Castéra “wishes to reaffirm that being selected for the France team means representing the republican values ​​of equality and fraternity, therefore behaving accordingly and in particular combating all forms of violence and discrimination”, adds Do we from the same source, “and the minister knows the attachment of the coach, the players and the Federation to these principles”.

Bastien Chalureau, who denies having uttered racist insults, says he appealed according to the media. Contacted by AFP on Sunday, his lawyer was not immediately reachable.