Benetton Rugby are currently at the centre of a storm following their club’s ‘secret Santa’ exchange.
Italy international Cherif Traore has been the recipient of a ‘gift’ that has caused uproar around the rugby community, leading to the Benetton player accusing his teammates of racism.
Christmas for many is a chance to celebrate the closeness of friends and family as we come together to spread cheer and best wishes for our loved ones. Work places around the world often take part in ever growing tradition of ‘Secret Santa’, in which each colleague would be allocated another member of staff to buy a heartfelt Christmas present for, with the sender remaining a secret.
While ‘Secret Santa’ is meant to be a chance to show appreciation to friends, this so called gift has caused ripples among the rugby community. The gift in question, a rotten banana, has some very serious racial connotations.
Following Luther Burrell’s statement regarding the racist comments he has received from teammates, it was hoped by many that the tide was starting to turn when it came to attitudes. This recent fiasco suggests otherwise.
Taking to social media, Traore explained that he has decided to no longer remain silent in the hopes that this does not happen again.
Name and shame the scumbag
Should be out of a job 🤬 pic.twitter.com/xWwcYX99xh
— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) December 21, 2022
Following this news, Benetton Rugby have issued a video statement which has been met with huge backlash.
“The caption accompanying the video read:
How many times does it happen to make a mistake or offend a member of one’s family, many. Well, this time it happened inside ours. Now what matters is having understood the mistake and apologizing. We are a family and as such we will move forward, together, always“
No well done, absolutely right, “gifting” a “team mate” a rotten banana for secret Santa is not a big deal and a simple apology will suffice!
If there is no further action on this from Benetton then everything we’ve done for “rugby against racism” has been a tick box for most. https://t.co/FlMkzzF3U6
— Gengey (@EllisGenge) December 22, 2022
Benetton have managed to make a fucked up situation even worse.
What were they thinking. 🤦♂️
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) December 22, 2022
Following the uproar regarding the incident, Benetton Rugby have been asked by the United Rugby Championship to provide a full report before any action will be taken.
The URC’s statement on Benetton and Cherif Traore. pic.twitter.com/NR78Eo2uJO
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) December 22, 2022
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