“None looks like a Frenchman. It’s the same in football. “This racist comment, written by an Instagram user under one of the photos published by the player on the social network, exceeded Romain Taofifenua. The second line of the XV of France, who participated in all the matches of the 2023 Six Nations Tournament, pinned the author of these comments on Tuesday in his story.
“On this international day against racial discrimination, this comment gives me the opportunity to remind you that the fight against racism is everyone’s fight, writes the massive (2 m, 135 kg) second line, holder Saturday against the country of Wales, attaching a screenshot of the offending text. You must never let go. The Lyon player’s message was shared on Instagram by two other internationals present in the photo: Stade Français third line Sekou Macalou and Bordeaux prop Sipili Falatea.
The photo was taken in the locker room of Twickenham, after the historic victory (10-53) of the Blue in England on March 11, 2023. We see there, in addition to Taofifenua, Macalou and Falatea, the pillar of La Rochelle Reda Wardi as well as Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka. The same day, at a press conference, Fabien Galthié had praised the diversity of the XV of France in response to a question from a journalist on the subject.
Another French international, Lyon stalwart Demba Bamba, has previously faced racism on social media. The player had been targeted in 2021 by anonymous comments referring to his skin color after a disappointing performance in the Top 14.