CNN
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Italian rugby workforce Benetton Treviso introduced Thursday that they’ve suspended a member of their workforce after Guinea-born Italian worldwide Cherif Traore acquired a “rotten banana in a moist bag” as a present throughout a Christmas dinner.
In a press release posted to its official web site, Benetton, together with the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), stated that federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into the matter.
Benetton and the FIR have imposed a suspension on a member of the workforce throughout that investigation.
In a now deleted Instagram put up from Wednesday, Traore detailed the incident and accused a few of his teammates of laughing when he opened the present.
Traore was born in Guinea however has lived in Italy because the age of seven. He performs prop for the northern Treviso membership and for the Italian nationwide workforce.
Afterward the identical day, Benetton posted a video on its Twitter account with Traore, who stated he had accepted an apology from the workforce, with the caption studying: “What number of instances does it occur that you just make a mistake and offend a member of the family – lots.
“Effectively this time it has occurred in our household. Now what issues is that we understood the error and have apologized.”
World Rugby, the game’s world governing physique, stated on Thursday that they’re “monitoring the matter intently.”
The United Rugby Championship, the league during which Benetton competes, additionally launched a press release on Thursday revealing they requested the workforce to offer them with a full report on the incident and the motion taken.
“Racism and discrimination of any form are abhorrent, utterly unacceptable in society and are totally counter to the values of the game of rugby and the United Rugby Championship,” the assertion learn.
Ellis Genge, a Black England worldwide rugby participant, responded on Twitter to the workforce’s apology saying there wanted to be penalties.
“No nicely achieved, completely proper, ‘gifting’ a ‘workforce mate’ a rotten banana for secret Santa isn’t a giant deal and a easy apology will suffice,” Genge wrote.
“If there is no such thing as a additional motion on this from Benetton then every part we’ve achieved for ‘rugby towards racism’ has been a tick field for many,” he added.
Maro Itoje, one other Black England rugby participant, wrote on social media: “Sending love and help to Cherif Traore! Nobody ought to obtain racist abuse!! It’s arduous to fathom that this story truly occurred. Reveals us there’s nonetheless work to do!”
