The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) mentioned on Thursday that Treviso have suspended an unnamed participant after black prop Cherif Traore obtained a rotten banana as a Christmas reward in a race row which has additionally prompted a proper investigation.
Traore, a 28-year-old Italian worldwide, who was born in Guinea, was given the current on Tuesday throughout a Secret Santa change, a recreation the place people purchase presents which might be then distributed anonymously.
“The FIR informs that the Federal Prosecutor has launched the investigations necessary to ascertain the facts, as well as the collective and individual responsibilities, to protect the founding values and reputation of the game,” the physique mentioned.
“Benetton Rugby has simultaneously decided to suspend one of its members as a precaution, for the entire duration of the investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office,” it added.
Black Ferns DOMINATE Australia in closing | 01:00
Treviso, backed by clothes firm Benetton, face fellow Italians Zebre Parma within the United Rugby Championship (URC) this weekend.
Earlier on Thursday, the URC had requested Treviso to supply a report on the “abhorrent” racism suffered by Traore.
Traore wrote on social media that he had been “hurt” by the “offensive” gesture.
“What hurt me most was seeing most of my mates present laughing. As if everything is normal,” he added within the Instagram submit.
England prop Ellis Genge, who captained his nation in the summertime of 2021, slammed the incident with the Six Nations event operating a ‘Rugby Against Racism’ marketing campaign for the previous two years.
“No well done, absolutely right, ‘gifting’ a ‘teammate’ a rotten banana for secret Santa is not a big deal and a simple apology will suffice!,” he tweeted.
“If there is no further action on this from Benetton then everything we’ve done for ‘rugby against racism’ has been a tick box for most.” In an preliminary assertion, Treviso mentioned it condemned all types of racism and discrimination.
They later mentioned the entire group had been known as to a gathering with prime executives, who repeated their condemnation of racism, and all of the gamers apologised to 16-time worldwide Traore.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
