“I’m not a racist” claims latest French player added to Rugby World Cup Squad

Bastien Chalureau has defended himself in a press conference after being drafted into the French World Cup squad as cover for Paul Willemse.

The 6’8” lock forward was convicted for a racially motivated attack that occurred in 2020.

Chalureau was given a six-month suspended sentence for his attack.

The Montpellier man was playing for Toulouse at the time of the attack but was released following his arrest and conviction. The two victims were teammates of Chalureau, Yannick Larguet and Nassim Arif.

Chalureau is forthright in acceptance of the assault on his teammates but refutes the racist angle of the attack.

In a press conference on Monday, 4th September, Chalureau said, “What I want to say to you is that I confessed to my mistakes, that I paid my debts and I deny all claims about racist remarks”.

For France, the Rugby World Cup is a chance to show off, not only their incredible rugby team, but also a chance to for so many visitors to experience their country, so it makes sense French President Emmanuel Macron is weighing in. He was heard telling coach Fabien Galthie, We don't want the controversy getting out of hand.”

French rugby legend, Thierry Dusautoir, who himself is of Ivorian descent has said, “I've always had a problem with him in being in the French national team” but admitted, “I'm aware that I'm not objective in this” in an interview with Canal Plus.

French rugby is never short of intrigue but given their fantastic build-up and the weight of expectations on what is perhaps their most talented side in generations, having this distraction certainly won’t be helping the team prepare for their opening game against New Zealand.