In the last days of 2022, a scandal had broken out in one of the team members of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR). The complaint of Cherif Traoréa Benetton Treviso player, linked to an accusation of racism generated an earthquake in the squad that disputes the United Rugby Championship and this Friday the harsh sanction that the Argentine rugby player will have to face was known Ivan Nemerthe person in charge give him a banana for the secret santa clauswhich aroused the fury of his companion.
“The Italian Rugby Federation informs that Ivan Nemer, a Benetton Rugby mainstay, has been disqualified until June 30, 2023”began the statement provided by the institution itself, where he plays Nemerwho is not eligible for The Cougars, since it represents Italy. In the Azzurri He had played 11 duels, but this sanction will prevent him from playing against Scotland, France, Wales, England and Ireland in it six nationscompetition that runs from February 4 to March 18.
After accepting the charges imputed in the accusation request promoted by the Federal Prosecutor, the measure taken by the Federal Court will not be appealed by the athlete, who waived that right: “The sanction was imposed in compliance with the FIR Justice Regulations and World Rugby Rule 18, based on investigations carried out in relation to events during a luncheon hosted by Benetton Rugby athletes on 20 December.”
This situation led to an agreement between the FIR and the club for the player to participate in the courses implemented by the Federation on Migrant Project, a project that documents the cases of people who died in the migratory process to another country. You will also have to participate in a training and awareness course “on integration issues”. His return to the courts will be subject to “permanent participation and the subsequent successful completion of the training and awareness process.”
“The Federal Court took into account Nemer’s desire to shed all the clarity on what happened,” added the statement about a person who showed his regret for what happened. His partner had recounted the violent episode experienced by a gift in an extensive release on his Instagram account last December: “I found a banana inside my present. A rotten banana, inside a wet bag. In addition to the fact that I consider the gesture offensive, what hurt me the most is seeing most of my classmates present laugh. As if everything was normal”.
Although I brought He had accepted the pillar’s apology, the disciplinary process against him continued until its conclusion in the last few hours. The ruling included a statement by the Italian nationalized Argentine in the form of a defense: “Racism has not had and will never have any role in my life, as it should not have in the lives of any of us. I am deeply sorry for what happened, for the stupidity of my gesture, for the upset caused to a friend, for having caused damage to my team, my teammates, the country I represent and the game I love.”.
“I come from a multicultural country like Argentina, where cultures have mixed for more than a century, and I have always shared the dressing room and pitch with colleagues and friends from all over the world. What happened does not represent me, but at the same time it should make me and make us reflect on how much more remains to be done to change our culture, overcome the most blatant stereotypes, bring us even closer to what is already happening. I accept the disqualification and the reincorporation process with serenity but above all I am confident that in the coming months and years I will be able to contribute with my testimony to make more and more young rugbiers aware of issues that must be addressed and understood to improve not only our sport, but the world in which we live ”, he closed.
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