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LNR issue statement in wake of 'unacceptable' Melvyn Jaminet clip
By Ian Cameron
The Ligue Nationale de Rugby in France has condemned comments made by Toulon fullback Melvyn Jaminet in an accidentally released social media video over the weekend.
On Sunday evening, the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) decided to suspend Jaminet from the France squad - who are currently touring South America - for alleged racist comments.
The issue came to light in the early evening of July 7 when a video of the international full-back making racist remarks was posted on the player’s official Instagram account. The video has since been deleted but continues to circulate widely on social media.
The video shows the apparently drunk RC Toulon full-back filming himself on a street at night speaking to the camera.
In the video Jaminet can be heard saying: "I swear, the first Arab I see on the street… I will headbutt him… I will headbutt him… I say: I will headbutt him… Headbutt, I will…”
The FFR statement on Sunday regarding the incident said: “The French Rugby Federation (FFR) strongly condemns the comments made by Melvyn Jaminet in a recent video posted on social media. Such comments are totally unacceptable and contrary to the fundamental values of our sport,” the statement read.
As a result Jaminet was suspended with immediate effect and is leaving the French squad. An internal investigation is underway. The FFR reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, and laïcité, emphasizing that discriminatory behavior has no place in French rugby.
Now the LNR have released a statement saying: 'The National Rugby League firmly condemns the unacceptable comments made by Melvyn Jaminet. Rugby is a sport of togetherness that embodies values of respect, team spirit, altruism, and diversity.
"The LNR relies on every professional rugby player to be an ambassador of this togetherness. The LNR awaits the result of the internal investigation conducted by the Federation and welcomes the decision of the FFR to immediately exclude him from the French team’s tour."
RC Toulon have also condemned the comments on social media: “Following the video posted on social media involving Melvyn Jaminet, RCT condemns and distances itself from the comments made. An internal investigation has been launched and the club will communicate more widely once this is complete."
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Latest Comments
This France team is as good as they were when they went into the World Cup as favorites. Have gone through a rebuild of confidence and rediscovered that form.
Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.
And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.
They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.
Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.
Go to commentsI'm not meaning to criticise the players, it's a professional game, this is their livelihood so all power to them. I am aiming criticism at the selectors. Italy is the perfect opportunity to give players of the future a game such as Lakai, Love etc. There is a finite number of tests until the next world cup to develop the team, we are wasting one today.
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