Matera stripped of captaincy

Pumas star rugby player Pablo Matera has been stripped of the captaincy of the Argentina team, in the fallout from xenophobic texts he allegedly sent between 2011 and 2013.

Matera had earlier yesterday issued an apology after the texts, reportedly related to comments about Bolivian and black people, resurfaced on social media.

The Argentine Rugby Union said it had decided to strip Matera of the captaincy.

‘‘The Argentine Rugby Union strongly repudiates the discriminatory and xenophobic comments published by members of the Los Pumas team on social networks and meeting urgently, the Board of Directors resolves: In the first place, revoke the captaincy of Pablo Matera and request the staff to propose a new captain to the board of directors.’’

It has also suspended Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino from the national team until they face disciplinary action. Petti and Socino are also accused of discriminatory texts.

‘‘Although the messages were expressed between 2011 and 2013 and do not represent the integrity as people that the three showed during this time in Los Pumas, from the Argentine Rugby Union we condemn any expression of hatred and we consider it unacceptable that those who express them represent our country,’’ the union said.

The trio will face charges before the union’s disciplinary commission.

Earlier Matera apologised. ‘‘I had a tougher time. I am very ashamed. Apologies to all those who were offended by the atrocities I wrote,’’ Matera said.

‘‘I’m also sorry to my team and my family.’’