France's full back Melvyn Jaminet reacts at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Uruguay at Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France on Sept. 14, 2023.ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/Getty Images
France fullback Melvyn Jaminet has been suspended for 34 weeks and fined 30,000 euros ($32,589) after posting a racist video on social media, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) said on Friday.
During the French team’s tour of Argentina earlier this month, the 25-year-old Toulon player was filmed saying “the first Arab I come across, I’ll throw him a headbutt."
The FFR’s Disciplinary Council ruled that Jaminet had “undermined the best interests of rugby.”
Eight of the 34 weeks can be replaced by a series of actions by the player, including alcohol and social media awareness and speaking at rugby schools “to promote the values of sport relating to the fight against discrimination.”
Jaminet has previously apologized for his comments, saying: “I understand that this may have hurt and offended many people, and I want to make it clear that these comments in no way reflect my values or those of the French rugby team.
“Racism, in all its forms, is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in.”
A day after the incident, two other touring French players, Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou were arrested after an allegation of sexual assault.