Mathieu Bastareaud "******* ******"

[Which Tyler]

True, but you get many Black French speaking people from Africa, possibility is that the person making that remark might not know who Basteraud is, or his heritage. If it was an Italian saying it, then it's perfectly understandable as they really are an ignorant bunch...

Storm in a teacup this.

Wait, so you're saying that Zimbabwe born Italian international player Sebastian Negri doesn't know who 42 capped French international player, and his opponent that day is?
That doesn't really pass the sniff test I'm afraid. I doubt that there's anyone in tier 1 international rugby who doesn't know who any 40+ capped tier 1 international player is.
It was intended as a racist insult, and he should also be charged for it. He could have called him a lazy... pretty much anything else ("lazy bastartd" seems the most obvious), and it would have been fair comment, but specifically referencing his racial descent makes it racist.

As for the word "******" exactly what non-derogatory use has anyone here ever heard that word used? (Excepting Welsh people and meatballs). Basta was using the word as an insult, in reply to an insult, it is absolutely inconceivable that he didn't know it was an insult. TBH with the amount of American media that gets consumed in France, it's inconceivable that he didn't know exactly what it meant as a slur.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Wait, so you're saying that Zimbabwe born Italian international player Sebastian Negri downs know who 42 capped French international player, and his opponent that day is?
That doesn't really pass the sniff test I'm afraid. I doubt that there's anyone in tier 1 international rugby who doesn't know who any 40+ capped tier 1 international player is.

As for the word "******" exactly what non-derogatory use has anyone here ever heard that word used? (Excepting Welsh people and meatballs). Basta was using the word as an insult, in reply to an insult, it is absolutely inconceivable that he didn't know it was an insult. TBH with the amount of American media that gets consumed in France, it's inconceivable that he didn't know exactly what it meant as a slur.

I'm trying to lighten up the mood. If the overseas media ever learned Afrikaans and hear what some of our players have called other players on the field, they'll have to declare war...

We use that word as a term for cigarettes... and that is by both gay and straight people in my friendship group...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He didn't use the word for cigarette though, He used the full word which has a different meaning.
Even if he did use the word for cigarette he still used it as an insult and pretty clearly wasn't calling the guy an effing cigarette.

 

[TRF_heineken]

He didn't use the word for cigarette though, He used the full word which has a different meaning.
Even if he did use the word for cigarette he still used it as an insult and pretty clearly wasn't calling the guy an effing cigarette.

I know, I know. Just trying to keep it light.

 

[McTallshort]

I know, I know. Just trying to keep it light.

Good luck mate, the virtue signalling is strong on this tread!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Good luck mate, the virtue signalling is strong on this tread!

I know right, I'd expected it if it was October/November when everyone is tired and worn out, but January... Geez looks like the holidays wasn't kind to the TRF members...

 

[Which Tyler]

This is a fairly left leaning board, apologising/excusing racism or homophobia is never going to go down terribly well.

 

[TRF_heineken]

This is a fairly left leaning board, apologising/excusing racism or homophobia is never going to go down terribly well.

Perhaps, but like I said, that term isn't so offensive where I'm from.

I have a question though, would it have been more or less offensive/homophobic had the person he said it to been homosexual?

 

[McTallshort]

I know right, I'd expected it if it was October/November when everyone is tired and worn out, but January... Geez looks like the holidays wasn't kind to the TRF members...

Its nothing to do with holidays mate, people love the opportunity to get all high and mighty and righteous if they know they are in the right. Nothing brings out the frothing at the mouth, mob mentality more than someone saying something offensive.

 

[Which Tyler]

IMO, that'd be no more homophobic, but more likely to strike home and earn a reaction.

Incidentally, verbal homophobic abuse in France carries punishments of up to €45,000 and 12 months in jail: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...exist-remarks-with-jail-sentences-681144.html
Although, with France being France, it's okay if the recipient is from a profession with lots of gay men: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35994755

 

[TRF_heineken]

IMO, that'd be no more homophobic, but more likely to strike home and earn a reaction.

Incidentally, verbal homophobic abuse in France carries punishments of up to €45,000 and 12 months in jail: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...exist-remarks-with-jail-sentences-681144.html
Although, with France being France, it's okay if the recipient is from a profession with lots of gay men: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35994755

Interesting. But doesn't that word have 2 meanings in French? 1 being a bunch of twigs or something like that?

 

[McTallshort]

Interesting. But doesn't that word have 2 meanings in French? 1 being a bunch of twigs or something like that?

Leave it or the only bunch of twigs you will see are the ones that light the fire they are going to burn you on!

 

[Which Tyler]

Interesting. But doesn't that word have 2 meanings in French? 1 being a bunch of twigs or something like that?

Dunno about French, but it does in English,where it also means "meatballs".
Of course, itnhasnt been committed use for firewood for a good 150 years or so, whilst it's only really used for meatballs in Wales and oop north. Neither would be used as insult, and claiming he meant either of those (or cigarette) is just apologist bullshit

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Honestly it doesn't matter all that much what he meant, and we all know he meant to use the slur, intention means sweet fa in every other citing offence until it comes to distributing the actual length of the ban where past character still holds more wait. He said something that is against World Rugby's laws and will face consequences. He apologised and we as fans can choose how to react to that, I personally am willing to think it was a massive **** up on his part and accept that he's learnt from it because I know how easy it is to lose your head in a match, I've never said anything as bad as that but have done one or two things that players get attacked for. All the talk of semantics is rubbish and for the purposes of winding people up at best.

 

[Groundhog]

Big man got three weeks. Pretty light considering he got six weeks halved to because he admitted to saying it. Well, no ****, it's on video lads he's hardly going to pretend he said 'ye fumbling maggot' is he?

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Interesting. But doesn't that word have 2 meanings in French? 1 being a bunch of twigs or something like that?

Oh yes, the common insult of calling someone a “bunch of twigs.”

Why are you being so obtuse about this?

 

[GarethGriffiths]

Both parties are stupid, so a ban and public apology should be sufficient.

 

[GPRed]

Southpark dedicated an entire episode to this exact issue. Seriously, they did.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Oh yes, the common insult of calling someone a “bunch of twigs.”

Why are you being so obtuse about this?

Come on mole. There is nothing else for us SH folk to talk about at the moment on this forum. All I had to do the past 2 weeks was ban spammers trying to overtake the forum.

Again, for me, this is not such a bad word. But I understand that in other countries it is a no-no. So please accept my apology, and I will refrain from making any further comments.

 

[FrenchFan]

Bastareaud will be no loss at all