Four days before the opening match of the Rugby World Cup, France – New Zealand (9:15 p.m.), Emmanuel Macron spoke about the Bastien Chalureau controversy.
The presence of the second line of Montpellier with the Blues is far from unanimous. For good reason, the athlete was sentenced by the courts in November 2020 for racist insults.
“It is the coach, the coach who chooses his players and it is also very good like that so I will not comment on his choices, declared the French president to RMC Sport. He does them in conscience, in responsibility. They are by definition the good ones. Second thing: it’s never good, and I’m the first, to comment on a legal proceeding when it’s pending so I won’t comment. The third thing, I think it’s important, I know that Bastien will do it, that he expresses himself there too with his heart, that he speaks his truth. Under no circumstances should this disturb the preparation and the process. It’s a team, you have to leave it unified. Before I conclude: I want them to think about more than one thing: rugby, playing and winning.”
Bastien Chalureau, 31, denies having uttered these insults and appealed this court decision. A call still in progress.
