The President of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), Florian Grill, conducted a press conference in Marcoussis to declare a “zero tolerance” approach towards anti-social behaviour exhibited by players. This declaration follows a series of alarming incidents during the recent tour to Argentina, which involved the arrest and subsequent indictment of two players for aggravated rape, as well as the expulsion of another player due to the posting of a racist video online.
Grill underscored the significance of players possessing a sense of responsibility and adhering to the established framework governing foreign tours. He expressed his disappointment at the actions of the players involved, stating, “It’s not the staff who are at fault, but rather the players who made the decision to deviate from the expected conduct”.
The two players, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who remain in Argentina under arrest, are anticipated to face trial within “nine to 14 months”. They deny the accusation and assert that the relations in question were consensual. If found guilty, they could face a sentence of between eight and 20 years in prison.
Furthermore, full-back Melvyn Jaminet, 25, was promptly removed from the squad after making racist remarks in a video posted on social media. Grill conveyed that the FFR would be imposing more severe penalties for such behaviour, including financial penalties and potential temporary or permanent exclusion from French teams.
The FFR also intends to intensify efforts to educate individuals about acceptable behaviour and the consequences of misconduct. Grill stressed that there will be “zero tolerance” for such incidents in the future, marking a new direction for French rugby.
Amid the controversies, Grill addressed concerns regarding the traditional post-match socialising and the use of drugs in the rugby community. He defended the spirit of the ‘third half’ but stressed the importance of accountability, acceptance of sanctions, and the collective interest as fundamental to the values of rugby.
This declaration comes in the midst of a sequence of concerning incidents involving rugby players, encompassing convictions for domestic violence and assault. The FFR’s “zero tolerance” policy stands as a decisive measure to tackle behavioural issues within the sport.
As French rugby strives to reshape its reputation and endorse a culture of respect and accountability, the implementation of this stringent policy represents a crucial and necessary step to uphold the integrity of the sport.