A new conflict opposes the two ice hockey clubs of Anglet and Rouen. After a contentious goal at the end of November, it was the revelations made by Anglo hockey player Christopher John Garcia on Monday February 21 on social networks that once again strained relations between the two Magnus League clubs. To such an extent that Rouen decided on Thursday February 23 to bring the case to justice.
“No hard evidence”
Supported by his club, the Canadian defender who arrived in Anglet this season, claimed to have heard the word “gorilla” from the Norman bench during a match at the Barre ice rink on Sunday February 13.
A few hours after this revelation published on social networks, the Rouen club had reacted to give in a press release its version of the story: “Spectators present [à la patinoire d’Anglet, NDLR] thought they heard racist remarks from a player of the Dragons of Rouen and were moved by him. Our assistant manager, a direct witness to the facts, immediately intervened with these people and in the presence of the offending player to tell them that the disputed remarks, made in English, had no racist character.
Believing that CJ Garcia wears “repeated accusations of racist insults” since Monday 21 February, but without “no tangible evidence”, the management of the Rouen Dragons therefore decided on Wednesday February 23 to sue for “defamation”.