DISGRACE OF FRANCE ACE Bastareaud in homophobic taunt
TOULON 36 TREVISO 0
FRANCE centre Mathieu Bastareaud could face a ban of at least six weeks after he was heard on the ref mic calling a Treviso player a ‘f****** f****t’ in Toulon’s Champions Cup win.
Bastareaud admitted last night he had ‘reacted badly’ in a tweeted apology and was officially cited. The flashpoint occurred after he had conceded a penalty for charging into a ruck, and the Italian club’s players responded.
Sebastian Negri, the Treviso flanker, said something to Bastareaud that was not picked up clearly by the on-field microphones. That was when the Toulon captain fired back a homophobic slur.
Andy Goode, the former England fly-half commentating on the game for TV, said: ‘Bastareaud! That is a disgrace what you have just said. You cannot react like that.’
The incident has been referred to the citing commissioner, and if Bastareaud is found to have committed an offence of verbal abuse, he faces a ban of at least six weeks, putting in jeopardy his participation in the Six Nations.
The 29-year- old international, who has played 42 times for his country, tweeted a qualified apology, claiming he had responded to provocation.
He wrote: ‘I apologise for my reaction to the insults of the Italian player.
‘I reacted badly by responding to his provocation, I am sincerely sorry for the people I could hurt.’
If Bastareaud is found to have broken the rules, Champions Cup organisers EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby) would be compelled to punish him. The maximum penalty is a 12-month suspension.
The regulations state: ‘A player must not verbally abuse anyone. Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to, abuse based on: religion, colour, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation.’ A statement from EPCR last night said, ‘As of now, the Facing ban: Bastareaud could miss the Six Nations if found guilty citing commissioner is considering the incident as part of his routine review of the match, and will make a decision when he has concluded his enquiries.’
lCASTRES demolished Leicester Tigers 39-0 last night in a game between the bottom sides in Champions Cup Pool 4.
Leicester opted to rest their England contingent, and Castres’ chances of reaching the quarter-finals effectively disappeared shortly before kick- off, as group rivals Racing 92 beat Munster in Paris.
Indiscipline proved costly for Leicester all night. Castres stand- off Benjamin Urdapilleta made the most of some clumsy defence to show off his Argentine football skills and score the opening try after just 50 seconds. Castres’ other tries were scored by centre Thomas Combezou and wing Armand Batlle, who each claimed a brace.
Matt O’Connor, Leicester’s head coach, promised a stronger selection for next weekend’s game against Racing at Welford Road. ‘The guys who were given the opportunity to play are disappointed because they are better than they demonstrated tonight,’ he said.