France bans full-back for racist remark

French full-back Melvyn Jaminet has been suspended from the national team.
Photo: Federico Pestellini/Photosport

French full-back Melvyn Jaminet has been suspended from the national team after posting a video on social media containing a racist comment, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) said.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Top 14 club Toulon, said in a video that was recently widely shared: “The first Arab I see, I’ll headbutt.”

The French team is currently playing a summer tour in Argentina.

“The FFR strongly condemns the comments made by Melvyn Jaminet in a video recently published on social networks. Such comments are totally unacceptable and violate the fundamental values ​​of our sport,” the FFR said in a statement.

“For this reason, Melvyn Jaminet has been suspended with immediate effect and is leaving the French squad, which is currently in Argentina.”

The FFR added that an internal investigation was ongoing.

The decision was welcomed by French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, who called for “zero tolerance towards racism” in a post on X.

– Reuters