Melvyn Jaminet suspended for 34 weeks for racist remarks during South American tour

The French national team player was suspended for 34 weeks by the French Rugby Federation on Friday for his racist comments posted on Instagram.

Melvyn Jaminet is not expected to return to the field before the end of the Six Nations Tournament. The French XV full-back was suspended for 34 weeks by the French Rugby Federation (FFR) on Friday, July 26, for posting a video on social media on July 7, in which he claimed to want to attack “to the Arabs”. He will also miss a large part of the Top 14 season, as the sanction applies to all club and international competitions.

Seized on July 12 by the Federation, which also made a report to the public prosecutor, the FFR disciplinary council ruled that the RCT player had carried out “harm to the best interests of rugby”The player can appeal this decision within the next seven days, before the federation’s Appeal Commission. He had already been “put aside” of the French XV group for the end of the South American tour of the Blues.

In a video posted by the player on Sunday July 7 on his Instagram account, the day after the Blues’ victory against Argentina (28-13), Melvyn Jaminet filmed himself making racist remarks: “My mother asks me if I partied. (breathes) I swear to you that the first Arab I meet on the road, I’ll hit him with my helmet! I’ll hit him with my helmet! I’ll tell you, I’ll hit him with my helmet! I’ll hit him with my helmet!”

The regulation provides for a one-week suspension “is not counted […] that if it includes at least one meeting in which the licensee concerned is likely to participate”. The Federation specifies that Melvyn Jaminet could see his sanction reduced by eight weeks if he performs “six prevention actions on the dangers linked to alcohol and social networks” And “six actions to promote the values ​​of sport relating to the fight against discrimination”particularly with young rugby players.

The management of RC Toulon, where the French XV full-back plays, received the player on Tuesday, July 23, as part of a disciplinary procedure opened by the club. It expressed, in a press release published on Wednesday, July 24, “his firm condemnation of racist remarks” but also claims to believe “on the possibility of redemption of Melvyn Jaminet” and be “ready[e] to accompany him in this process”. The RCT “will determine, in the coming days, the fairest sanction(s)”.