Italian rugby group Benetton Treviso suspends participant amidst racism accusations, with Italian federal prosecutors to research

Muricas News  — 

Italian rugby group Benetton Treviso introduced Thursday that they've suspended a member of their group after Guinea-born Italian worldwide Cherif Traore obtained a “rotten banana in a moist bag” as a present throughout a Christmas dinner.

In a press release posted to its official web site, Benetton, together with the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), stated that federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into the matter.

Benetton and the FIR have imposed a suspension on a member of the group at some stage in that investigation.

In a now deleted Instagram submit from Wednesday, Traore detailed the incident and accused a few of his teammates of laughing when he opened the reward.

Traore was born in Guinea however has lived in Italy because the age of seven. He performs prop for the northern Treviso membership and for the Italian nationwide group.

Afterward the identical day, Benetton posted a video on its Twitter account with Traore, who stated he had accepted an apology from the group, with the caption studying: “What number of instances does it occur that you simply make a mistake and offend a member of the family – so much.

“Nicely this time it has occurred in our household. Now what issues is that we understood the error and have apologized.”

World Rugby, the game’s international governing physique, stated on Thursday that they're “monitoring the matter carefully.”

The United Rugby Championship, the league during which Benetton competes, additionally launched a press release on Thursday revealing they requested the group to supply them with a full report on the incident and the motion taken.

“Racism and discrimination of any type are abhorrent, utterly unacceptable in society and are completely counter to the values of the game of rugby and the United Rugby Championship,” the assertion learn.

Ellis Genge, a Black England worldwide rugby participant, responded on Twitter to the group’s apology saying there wanted to be penalties.

“No nicely accomplished, completely proper, ‘gifting’ a ‘group mate’ a rotten banana for secret Santa isn't an enormous deal and a easy apology will suffice,” Genge wrote.

“If there is no such thing as a additional motion on this from Benetton then every thing we’ve accomplished for ‘rugby towards racism’ has been a tick field for many,” he added.

Maro Itoje, one other Black England rugby participant, wrote on social media: “Sending love and assist to Cherif Traore! Nobody ought to obtain racist abuse!! It’s exhausting to fathom that this story truly occurred. Exhibits us there’s nonetheless work to do!”