Jaminet suspended by France after racist video posted online

France's full-back Melvyn Jaminet  Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images

Toulon full-back Melvyn Jaminet has been suspended by France and been sent home from the tour of Argentina, after he claimed he would "hit the first Arab I come across on the road” in a video posted on his Instagram account.

The video was posted following France's win over Argentina on Saturday, in which Jaminet featured as a replacement. It was swiftly deleted, but not before Jaminet's remarks came to light.

In the video, Jaminet rambles in a garbled fashion, including the words: “My mother asks me if I partied… I swear to you, the first Arab I come across on the road, I’ll hit him with my helmet."

The French Rugby Federation has issued a statement condemning Jaminet’s comments “in the strongest terms” and promised an investigation into “extremely serious remarks”.

“The FFR reaffirms its unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion and secularism. Rugby is a sport that brings people together and unites, and we must promote these essential values. No discriminatory behavioor, of any nature whatsoever, has a place in French rugby.” 

Toulon also issued a statement: “Following the video published on social networks involving Melvyn Jaminet, the RCT condemns the comments made and dissociates itself from them. An internal investigation is open and the club will communicate more widely at the end of it.”