French Rugby Star Suspended 8 Months for Racist Remarks

Melvyn Jaminet pays dearly for his racist remarks. In a statement released on Friday, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced that it has imposed a 34-week suspension, or nearly 8 months, on the France XV fullback, three weeks after his racist remarks made in a video during the Bleus’ tour of South America. He is also required to pay a financial penalty of 30,000 euros. "At the end of the FFR Disciplinary Council meeting held today, it was found that Melvyn Jaminet had undermined the higher interests of rugby," the Federation summarizes.

If Melvyn participates in "general interest activities for the benefit of the FFR," this sanction could be reduced to 26 weeks. These activities "consist of carrying out: 6 prevention actions on the dangers related to alcohol and social networks for an identified public such as the France youth teams or the trainees of training centers and 6 actions to promote the values of sport on the fight against discrimination for the Rugby Schools," specifies the Federation. The rugby player has 7 days to appeal.

The 25-year-old Toulon player made racist remarks in a video posted on his Instagram account on July 6, following the Bleus’ first test match against Argentina. "My mom asking me if I partied. (He sighs.) I swear, the first Arab I cross on the road, I’ll give him a helmet hit," the sportsman said in the video. Remarks condemned "with the utmost firmness" by the FFR. It had sidelined him from the France group, heard him before sanctioning him.