The work Ivan Nemer is undertaking after ban for racism incident

Italy prop Ivan Nemer has started his ‘Racism is a bad story’ project with the Italian rugby federation after his suspension for his high-profile incident last December. It was January 27 when a Federal Court decided to ban the 11-cap front-rower from rugby until June 30 following an investigation into his racist secret Santa gift to his Benetton and Azzurri teammate Cherif Traore.

It was in the week before Christmas that Traore took to social media to explain his disgust at receiving a rotten banana, and his public calling out of the racist gift eventually resulted in the Treviso-based URC franchise suspending a then-unnamed player on December 22.

It emerged the following month that Nemer was the culprit and he is now trying to make amends, the Italian federation reporting that he is now raising awareness on racism issues and has become a specialist scrum coach for the FIR migrants project.

A statement read: “The Racism is a bad story association was contacted by FIR to propose a path of awareness and training for the player that will also involve the Benetton Rugby franchise in activities with local realities and a strong characterisation with respect to the themes of racism.

“The journey for Nemer began on March 22 with the participation of the 23-year-old prop at the presentation in the Feltrinelli Library in Verona of Antirezine, the free fanzine published by Racism is a bad story for the international week against racism (www.razzismobruttastoria.net), which collects thoughts, comics, poems from those who live racism and are committed to combating it.

“The presentation, an opportunity for an overview of the urgencies in the fight against racism today in Italy, marked the meeting between Nemer and the sociologist and activist Gustavo Garcia, who will accompany him as a tutor with Racism is a bad story.

“Among these: visits to facilities that support the path of migrants in transit at the border between Italy and France, moments of exchange with associations and sports networks engaged in the fight against inequalities in Padua and Treviso. On these occasions, it is expected that Nemer will also make his sporting skills available by teaching the practice of rugby to the participants. Finally, training is also planned for the entire Benetton team.

“Racism is a bad story is an association that works to combat racism and discrimination through cultural initiatives and educational projects. Founded after the racist murder of nineteen-year-old Italian Abdel William Guibre, known as Abba, in 2008 in Milan, it is promoted by the Feltrinelli Group. It is based in Milan but works throughout Italy together with a network of experts and associated experts, and is part of the European Network Against Racism.”

Nemer said: "The meeting with Gustavo was very nice and above all interesting. In all honesty, I had never taken part in events that dealt with similar topics, and this helped me to realise how much we can still improve as a collective.

“I want to thank Gustavo and Racism is a bad story for the opportunity to work together in the months to come, and the FIR and Benetton Rugby for laying the foundations for this collaboration. I’m curious and excited by the path that awaits me and the idea of being able to transfer my experience to the youngest and learn from them.”