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Bastareaud takes to Twitter to address storm over 'homophobic slurs'
By Ian Cameron
Toulon centre Matthieu Bastareaud has taken to social media to address allegations that he used homophobic slurs in his side's European Champions Cup win over Treviso this afternoon.
European Professional Club Rugby (ECPR) have stated that they will review "an incident" after the Toulon centre appeared to direct a homophobic slur at the Benetton Treviso lock.
The ref mic picks up Bastareaud calling Treviso secondrow Sebastian Negri a '****ing f***ot'.
Bastareaud was angered by something Negri said to him in Toulon’s 36-0 European Champions Cup victory over the Italian side after both players got up from the ground at Stade Mayol.
Bastareud took to Twitter to apologise for his actions, writing: "Good evening everybody, I want to apologize to my response to the insults of the Italian Player.
"I reacted badly in responding to his provocation, I am sincerely sorry for the people I hurt."
Andy Goode was commentating on the match and pulled him up on his comments on air, before he too took to Twitter to call on the ECPR to 'throw the book' at the French centre.
The ECPR have said in a statement: "“EPCR has been made aware of an incident towards the end of today’s RC Toulon v Benetton Rugby Champions Cup match.” an EPRC statement said.
“This incident will be considered as part of EPCR’s customary extensive post-round review.”
Controversial Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal attempted to turn the attention to the ECPR, who claims is run by the 'mormon' influenced Irish and Welsh.
Boudjellal is quoted as saying: "What I'm afraid of is the mormon side of the EPCR, with the Welsh and the Irish. They are people who sell morality when they do not have it.
"The same who have ministers who are whipped in private, but who pass for 'clean' guys in public."
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Latest Comments
It's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
Go to commentsThe Stormers sloppiness show that they are a poorly coached side. Fortunately for them, so are the Sharks.
There are tougher opponents waiting and they will be punished heavily unless the coaching improves dramatically.
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