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🇫🇷 France /Conflict & Security

Rugby coach slams lawmaker's 'racist' claims as 'dangerous'

From Le Figaro · (1d ago) French Critical tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Former international rugby referee Alexandre Ruiz strongly criticized remarks by French lawmaker Thomas Portes, who claimed rugby is "racist."
  • Ruiz, now a coach, stated that rugby is a diverse sport and that such accusations are dangerous and damaging.
  • He emphasized his personal experience with mixed-race players and called for unity and respect within the sport.

The French rugby world is reacting strongly to accusations of racism leveled by LFI lawmaker Thomas Portes. Portes suggested that racism is more prevalent in lower divisions of rugby, a claim that has been vehemently refuted by prominent figures in the sport. Alexandre Ruiz, a former Top 14 international referee and current coach of Soyaux-Angoulême in Pro D2, has emerged as a vocal critic of these remarks, deeming them "hyper dangerous."

J’ai lu ça entouré de quelques joueurs du SA XV de couleurs de peau complètement différentes et d’origines différentes. Certains d’entre eux ont été choqués. C’est dommage qu’on puisse caricaturer le rugby en un sport de blancs

— Alexandre RuizReacting to accusations of racism in rugby, Ruiz highlighted the diversity within his own team.

Ruiz, speaking from his experience as a coach leading a diverse team, expressed his shock and disappointment at the generalization. "I find that creating controversies that are hyper dangerous," he stated, highlighting the presence of players of "completely different skin colors and different origins" in his own squad. He emphasized that rugby is a sport that embraces diversity, and such accusations risk undermining the inclusive values that define it. His personal life, including his marriage to a Brazilian woman and having mixed-race children, further informs his perspective on the sport's inclusive nature.

Je trouve que là, c’est créer des polémiques qui sont hyper dangereuses

— Alexandre RuizCriticizing the lawmaker's claims, Ruiz described them as dangerously controversial.

Ruiz's response reflects a broader sentiment within the rugby community: a pride in the sport's ability to unite people from various backgrounds. He urged that everyone should "stay in their place," not in a restrictive sense, but as a call for individuals to respect their roles and refrain from making divisive claims. The former referee's impassioned defense serves as a powerful reminder of rugby's inclusive spirit and the importance of fostering an environment free from unfounded accusations. The focus, he implies, should be on celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds that make up the sport, rather than sowing discord.

Que chacun reste à sa place et les moutons seront bien gardés

— Alexandre RuizA concluding remark emphasizing order and respect within the sport.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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