ASM Clermont will present itself with a new captain for the clash of the 17th day of Top 14 against La Rochelle (Sunday, 9:05 p.m.). This is winger Alivereti Raka, victim of insults on social networks last week after the defeat against Toulouse (30-33).
A strong gesture from coach Christophe Urios, who wanted to send a message. “When one of us is attacked, we must stand together. Offering the captaincy to Raka, who was insulted on social networks, I found the image beautiful,” explained the Clermont manager.
The regional daily La Montagne revealed that Raka, a player of Fijian origin who became a French international (5 caps), had thought about “stopping everything” and “returning to Fiji” in the face of this violence. “He has come to his senses a little since in the face of the testimonies of support. But the damage is done, it’s too late now. Over time, things will dissipate. But talking about his parents had a profound impact on him,” his wife confided to our colleagues.
On Tuesday, the ASM reacted by publishing a press release. “We are unhappy to have to once again share this message which has not aged a bit and which is still visibly misunderstood by a minority of people claiming to be “supporters”. We will never accept that our stadium is a place of hatred, provocation or disrespect, insists the Auvergne club. We will never understand or accept those who attack the men under our belt. Our Yellow Army, our stadium and our club deserve much better than all this. Hatred has no place in Michelin!”
