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UAR statement: Los Pumas racism investigation
By Ian Cameron
The Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) has issued an update on their ongoing investigation into racist and xenophobic tweets sent by three members of Los Pumas squad.
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The union are investigating social media posts made a number of years ago by Argentina’s Pablo Matera, Guido Petto and Santiago Socino, which recently resurfaced. Matera’s captaincy was suspended before being dramatically reinstated by the UAR. The u-turn decision has upset some commentators, who want a hard-line approach on the matter from the union and the sport.
The union claim that they are committed to ‘setting a positive example’ within the sport.
The statement reads: “The Disciplinary Commission continues the investigation into the racist, xenophobic and discriminatory manifestations broadcast on social networks by players from the current Los Pumas squad between 2011 and 2012.
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“The Unión Argentina de Rugby is awaiting the resolution of the process and wishes to reiterate that it repudiates any act or conduct that is discriminatory for reasons of religion, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, color or origin.
“The Argentine Rugby Union is committed to setting a positive example, as evidenced by the launch of the “Rugby 2030” program in February 2020, which has as its central axis the objective of eradicating all discrimination and abusive behavior in the rugby community.”
During the week World Rugby issued their own statement, saying that they welcomed the investigation.
“World Rugby welcomes reports that the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) continues to undertake a full investigation into racist social media comments attributed to members of the senior men’s national 15s team.
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“World Rugby is currently seeking a better understanding of the process being undertaken by the UAR and its status and looks forward to receiving a full update.
“Clearly the comments, or any form of discrimination, are unacceptable and completely opposed to the strong, universal and inclusive values that the rugby family aspires to live and uphold. There is simply no place for them, and such behaviour rightly warrants full and appropriate investigation by the union.”
