Argentina to lift ban on players after racist tweets

Argentina to lift ban on players after racist tweets

In an unexpected turn of events, the Argentina Rugby Union has lifted the previously-imposed suspensions on three players including captain Pablo Matera for posting racist tweets seven years ago.

The Rugby Union were quick to take action once the tweets were exposed, stripping Matera of the captaincy and suspending all three players.

Today, however, accroding to a report in sports.yahoo.com, the union have changed their tune; while the trio will sit out this weekend’s Tri Nations game against Australia, Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has made it clear that they will resume their roles thereafter.

Argentina rugby captain Pablo Matera, two other players suspended for  xenophobic social media posts - CNN

"They reached an agreement with the union about not playing this game but what I can say is they are three fine players and great men, they are great human beings," Ledesma said during a Zoom call.


"They've been suffering a lot this week, their families have suffered a lot this week. It's really sad to see."

When enquiries were made as to whether Matera would continue to lead to the team, Ledesma was emphatic:


"Exactly right,” he said. “Pablo won't be playing this game but he is still the captain.”

We'll remember this for a long time' - Mario Ledesma | Planet Rugby

Ledesma continued, saying a lot of hate had gone on this week which has really affected the players.

“They are not the same people that they were at 17 or 18 years old,” he said. “They are great men, family men."

Reports indicate that a number of other players in the Argentinian camp had threatened to strike if leniency was not shown to their teammates.

On Tuesday, when the suspensions were announced, the Union said that it "condemns any instance of hate speech and considers it unacceptable that anyone expressing those views would represent our country."

However, today (Thursday), the Union declared that "upholding interim measures is unnecessary, and it is decided to lift the suspension of the three players and reinstate the captaincy of Pablo Matera."

Australia will host Argentina at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.

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