Two players from SCO Rugby Angers were allegedly targeted by a racist insult during a match against US Tours, two National U18 teams, Saturday November 16, 2024, revealed The Parisian. A US Tours player allegedly called two opposing players “little black shit(ies)”.
“It was the end of the match. We were on the last action. Coming out of the ruck, I only hear the end of the insult”says Abdoulaye Gassama, 18 years old, one of the two targeted players, contacted by telephone, Tuesday November 19. A teammate, who heard the entire sentence, comes to see him to report the complete words of the opposing player. Immediately, Abdoulaye Gassama calls out to the referee, who says he did not hear the comments. Facts confirmed by US Tours, which evokes, through the voice of its general secretary Hugues Sollin, a statement “clearly racist”.
“I don’t have much doubt about what he said”
Comes the end of the match. The players confront each other. “Very quickly, my coach calmed things downcontinues the Angevin player. When it was time to shake hands, players from Tours came to see us to find out what had happened. » The referee announces that he will mention the incident in his report. A few days later, Abdoulaye Gassama remains « formal » on the words spoken. “I don’t have much doubt about what he said. »
He remains incredulous. “At that point, the game was won for them. » That day, at home, the Touraine players won 32 to 16. And the meeting with the US Tours was not out of the ordinary. “Obviously, there are small moments where things get a little stuck, but nothing special in the match. We've played them twice already, there's never been any problems with them. »
Although he says he has already been confronted with racist incidents in daily life, he assures that this is the first time for him that racism has erupted into the field. “That’s what made it not sadden me deeply. What I found very sad was that the player said that. »
He welcomes the behavior ” outstanding “ et « hyper mature » other players from the Touraine team. “Many have contacted me to apologize. »
In an Instagram post, the Angevin player calls for this type of behavior not to be “in no case be tolerated and go unpunished. »
“We are not incriminating the Tours club”
“We are not incriminating the Tours club”recalls for his part Jean-Benoît Portier, president of SCO Rugby Angers. He evokes a “individual act”: “It is not part of our values, the values of the Tours club, and the values of rugby. »
The Angevin club immediately sent a letter to its Touraine counterpart, requesting in particular a sanction adapted to the player at the origin of the insults. “We can’t leave this without punishment”continues Jean-Benoît Portier, who calls for “bounce back and communicate”. Neither the club nor Abdoulaye Gassama wish to file a complaint.
Who said the term? At US Tours, we assure you that an internal investigation has been launched. “Thursday, during the next training, we will bring the players together and try to clarify the situation”explains Hugues Sollin. “This type of comment does not correspond to the ethics of the club. »
“Surprised and shocked”the Touraine general secretary discusses the “excellent relations” between the two clubs and the commitment of US Tours in “a whole series of socio-sporting actions”.
He judges « possible » that sanctions be taken against the perpetrator, if he is formally identified. “The office can legally meet as a disciplinary council”specifies Hugues Sollin, who calls for “place in a context of sanction but also of education”.
