French rugby star expelled from national team over racist remark
- The first Arab I meet, I'll hit him in the face - said rugby player Melvyn Jaminet in a recording. The video was posted on social media by a newly elected member of the French parliament, resulting in the national player being expelled from the national team.
11:13 AM EDT, July 9, 2024
Recently, tensions have been high in France due to the parliamentary elections. On Monday, July 8th, the final results were announced. The New People's Front (NFP) gathered the most votes in the second round.
As a result, Sebastien Delogu became a new member of the French parliament. That same Sunday, he published the video featuring rugby player Melvyn Jaminet.
- My mother asks me if I partied? I swear, the first Arab I meet on the road, I'll hit him in the face. I'm telling you, I'll hit him in the face - were the words spoken by Jaminet in an old recording that has now come to light.
"The comments made by rugby player Melvyn Jaminet are scandalous and must be severely punished by both the French Rugby Federation and the Toulon club," wrote the MP, who was elected in the first round in his district.
The reaction from the mentioned parties was swift. The French Rugby Federation decided to suspend the player and immediately exclude him from the national team during matches in South America.
Jaminet's comments were also condemned by his club, which initiated an internal investigation. The player himself also addressed his words.
"I am very sorry and ashamed of my words. I would like to apologize to everyone. I understand that it might have hurt and offended many people, and I want to say that these comments in no way reflect my values or the values of the French rugby team. Racism, in all its forms, is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in. (...) I understand the FFR's sanction and I am at their disposal to shed light on this matter," the Frenchman conveyed via his official Instagram account.
