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TOP 14

Melvyn Jaminet fighting for Toulon career amid protests outside club

By Neil Fissler

151 days ago

Toulon's French fly-half Melvyn Jaminet (C) fights for the ball with Oyonnax' French flanker Hugo Hermet (R) during the French Top 14 Rugby union match between Union Sportive Oyonnax Rugby (Oyonnax) and Racing Club Toulon (Toulon) at the Charles Mathon stadium in Oyonnax, central eastern France, on May 18, 2024. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE / AFP) (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images)

Melvyn Jaminet will be fighting for his future with Toulon after being summoned to attend showdown talks with club bosses on Tuesday afternoon after being suspended for making racist remarks about Arabs.

Jaminet only signed for his hometown club last November after swearing an earlier release from his Toulouse contract in a now-deleted video posted on his official Instagram account after France’s win in Argentina two weeks ago.

In the video, Jaminet can be heard saying: “I swear, the first Arab I see on the street… I will headbutt him… I will headbutt him… I say: I will headbutt him… Headbutt, I will…”

Scott Robertson looks ahead to The Rugby Championship squad selection | Steinlager Series

Jaminet, who grew up near the Stade Felix Mayol, played for junior sides before moving to Perpignan Academy, helping them win the second division Pro D2 title in 2021.

He is due to be under contract at Toulon until 2028, but that could be ripped up after his meeting with Administrative and Legal Director Cedric Rouhaud and President Bernard Lemaitre at the clubs offices.

The meeting had been scheduled for last Friday but was postponed until tomorrow afternoon at 3.30 pm because, under French labour laws, he needed to be accompanied by a Union delegate.

Jaminet, 25, is under investigation by the French Public Prosecutor and has been the subject of protests outside the club’s training base. And will be accompanied by his lawyer, Carlo Alberto Brusa.

The Italian successfully defended former French football international Franck Ribery when he was charged with having sex with an underage prostitute and is the former lawyer of French stars Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane.

The three-time European champions have already lined up a replacement for Jaminet. They want to sign Italy full-back Ange Capuozzo, who is under contract to Toulouse until the end of next season.

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Comments

6 Comments

Barry 151 days ago

Ship him off to Qatar to play rugby. See how well he does at headbutting over there.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Barry 30 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 38 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 4 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 5 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU