Spanish Rugby Player Gets Seven-Match Ban for Racist Insults

A Spanish rugby player has received a seven-match suspension for directing racist insults at French player Luka Keletaona during a recent U20 World Cup match. The incident took place during the game between France and Spain held in Georgia.

Following the match, French player Luka Keletaona reported that the Spanish player, Matéo Aragon, had made racist remarks, including phrases like "Get out with your Chinese face and your eyes..." The French Rugby Federation supported its player and brought the matter to World Rugby.

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Get out with your Chinese face and your eyes...

World Rugby conducted a thorough investigation, examining match footage, audio recordings, and testimonies from both French and Spanish team members. The independent commission determined that the player's actions constituted a racial offense. While considering mitigating factors, the commission ultimately imposed a seven-match ban, acknowledging the serious nature of the racist dimension of the infraction.

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After having thoroughly examined the images and audio recordings of the match, as well as all available evidence, including testimonies from several members of the French and Spanish teams, the commission considered that the player had not demonstrated, based on the elements presented, that the citation should be canceled. Regarding the sanction, the independent commission retained an intermediate entry point corresponding to a twelve-match suspension. After taking into account various factors, including the racial dimension of the offense, the commission decided not to grant full mitigating circumstances, resulting in a final sanction of seven matches.