French centre Mathieu Bastareaud was in action today as Toulon romped to a 36-0 win over Benetton, topping their Champions Cup pool in the process.
Unfortunately, the manner of their win will not be the talking point this evening as Bastareaud, after being heard uttering a homophobic slur in the direction of Sebastian Negri, could face a lengthy ban.
While Bastareaud appeared to make no apologies for his remarks in the immediate aftermath, he did quickly question the referee - whilst directing attention toward what we may presume was Negri - 'why he call me this?'
Although nothing can garnered from the available footage regarding anything Negri contributed to this incident verbally, Bastareud's slur has given cause to outrage in the number of people watching the Champions Cup tie.
Will be interesting to see how long a ban Bastareaud gets.
Can't call someone a 'faggot'.
Heat of the moment or not.
Good opportunity to send out a big message.— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) January 14, 2018
Love to have seen Bastareaud call Gareth Thomas a faggot, when he was in his prime.
Alfie would have stretched him clean out there and then.— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) January 14, 2018
Matthieu Bastareaud.
Long ban deserved.— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) January 14, 2018
Anyone else pick up Bastareaud gay slur on the ref mic at the end of the game. @btsportrugby I think someone could be in trouble
— Gareth Hill (@gforce_14) January 14, 2018
Hopefully a lengthy, lengthy ban coming Mathieu Bastareaud's way.
— Jonathan Bradley (@JBradleyBT) January 14, 2018
Abhorrent from Bastareaud https://t.co/015WszH1mW
— Will Kelleher (@willgkelleher) January 14, 2018
While some questioned why the referee had not taken a more definitive stance when he was well within earshot of Bastareaud at the time.
@simonrug @thepaulwilliams @WorldRugby @ChampionsCup absolutely nothing done by ref as bastareaud clearly dishes out homophobic language in the 79th minute, close enough for the ref mic to pick it up so why didn't the ref do something about him?
— Ross Akers (@RossAkers) January 14, 2018
In a sport that has championed the emergence of individuals like Nigel Owens and Gareth Thomas, Bastareaud's comments are at odds with the way rugby tries to present itself.
It is expected - and largely hoped - that the Frenchman will now face a lengthy ban for his crude comments. While an overall reaction should really be reserved until a clearer picture of the incident is established, there is no doubt that Bastareaud's comments - irrespective of any provocation - are despicable and have to place in society; let alone sport.
With Ireland due to begin their Six Nations against France in only a few weeks time, interest will abound as to whether Bastareaud's disgraceful comments come back to haunt him.
You can watch the incident as it developed below.
