Pablo Matera's past suddenly came to the surface.
The 3rd row of the Stade Français since 2019 and captain of the Argentina team has been suspended as a precaution, like two of his teammates - Guido Petti, 2nd row of Bordeaux-Bègles and Santiago Socino, hooker of the Argentinian franchise of the Jaguares - for "discriminatory and xenophobic remarks", as announced by the Federation of his country on Monday evening.
These comments were published between 2011 and 2013 on social networks.
In these tweets, Pablo Matera spoke of "hitting blacks" with his car and disparaged Bolivians and Paraguayans.
A disciplinary commission has opened proceedings against the three players, the Parisian player has already seen the captain's armband removed.
"The Argentine Rugby Union strongly rejects the discriminatory and xenophobic comments posted by members of the Pumas team on social networks," the Federation said in a statement.
She said she had to act, because she "condemns all hate speech and considers it unacceptable that those who have been able to speak represent our country.
Although these publications are old and "do not reflect the personal integrity that the three have shown in the colors of the Pumas."
"I must take responsibility for what I wrote nine years ago"
In a statement, Matera, 27, said he was "deeply ashamed".
“I am sorry for all the people who were offended by the horrors I wrote,” he said on Instagram.
By continuing that “at that time, I never imagined who I would become”.
“Today I must take responsibility for what I wrote nine years ago.
I also want to apologize to my team and my family for what they are going through as a result of my actions.
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The latter, who participated in the historic victory against the All Blacks (25-15) two weeks ago, will therefore not be aligned during the Argentina team's match against Australia on Saturday in rugby championship.
The Stade Français reacted, via a press release, to these revelations: “The club wishes to mark its total opposition with these unacceptable remarks and comments.
We also want to recall that since his arrival at the club in December 2019, our player has always been irreproachable in his attitude towards his teammates and opponents, both on and off the pitch.
On his return from selection, the player, who has already publicly apologized, will be summoned by club management.
In this particularly sad and emotionally charged period for our club after the tragic death of Christophe Dominici, we hope that the time for mourning and meditation will be respected.
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