France has dropped Centre Forward Mathieu Bastareaud from their Six Nations squad. The decision follows the player receiving a three match ban for using a gay slur during a recent match.

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The 29 year old player was suspended after he directed a gay slur at Italian player Sebastian Negri during a match on Sunday. Bastareaud reportedly called Negri “a f******g f****t”.   

Bastareaud took to his Twitter account to apologise for his remarks, saying he reacted badly to Negri’s provocation. Rugby Union’s governing body usually dishes out a six week ban to players who use homophobic slurs on the pitch, but as Bastareaud admitted his offence the penalty was reduced to a three week suspension. 

Back in 2009 the player made international news when he claimed he had been assaulted outside his Wellington hotel. Bastareaud was forced to cut short his tour of New Zealand and return home early after suffering facial injuries. French media suggested that New Zealand was not a safe place to visit, and Prime Minister John Key issued an apology.

A police investigation later revealed video footage showing the player returning to his hotel with several people and no assault taking place. Bastareaud admitted he’d actually suffered the injury when he dripped over a table in his room while intoxicated. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon was forced to make an apology to New Zealand. 

OIP Staff