Italian rugby membership Treviso has suspended an unnamed participant after black prop Cherif Traore acquired a rotten banana as a Christmas present in a Secret Santa change which has now prompted a proper investigation.
Traore, a 28-year-old Italian worldwide, who was born in Guinea, was given the current on Tuesday because the membership, in any other case referred to as Benetton Rugby, wrapped up its coaching schedule earlier than Christmas.
The present was allegedly given particularly to Traeore throughout Secret Santa, a sport the place people purchase presents which are then distributed anonymously.
“The FIR (The Italian Rugby Federation) informs that the Federal Prosecutor has launched the investigations necessary to ascertain the facts, as well as the collective and individual responsibilities, to protect the founding values and reputation of the game,” the physique mentioned.
“Benetton Rugby has simultaneously decided to suspend one of its members as a precaution, for the entire duration of the investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office,” it added.
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Treviso, backed by clothes firm Benetton, face fellow Italians Zebre Parma within the United Rugby Championship (URC) this weekend.
The URC had earlier requested Treviso to supply a report on the “abhorrent” racism suffered by Traore.
Traore wrote on social media that he had been “hurt” by the “offensive” gesture.
“What hurt me most was seeing most of my mates present laughing. As if everything is normal,” he added within the Instagram submit.
England prop Ellis Genge, who was a central a part of a current ‘Rugby Against Racism’ marketing campaign for the previous two years, slammed the incident on social media.
“No well done, absolutely right, ‘gifting’ a ‘teammate’ a rotten banana for Secret Santa is not a big deal and a simple apology will suffice!,” Genge tweeted.
“If there is no further action on this from Benetton then everything we’ve done for ‘rugby against racism’ has been a tick box for most.”
Many others additionally took to social media to share their anger.
In an preliminary assertion, Treviso mentioned it condemned all types of racism and discrimination.
They later mentioned the entire staff had been known as to a gathering with prime executives, who repeated their condemnation of racism, and all of the gamers apologised to 16-time worldwide Traore
