Melvyn Jaminet Suspended for 34 Weeks

Melvyn Jaminet, France full-back, has received a 34-week suspension and a fine of 30,000 euros (£25,335) from the French Rugby Federation (FFR) following the posting of a racist video on social media. The 25-year-old player shared the video during France’s recent summer tour of Argentina which contained a racist remark directed at the Arab community. The FFR stated that Jaminet’s actions have “harmed the best interests of rugby.”

To potentially shorten his suspension by eight weeks, Melvyn Jaminet must engage in anti-discrimination activities aimed at promoting sports values. If he completes these activities, he could be available for selection before the 2025 Six Nations Championship. Jaminet, who was sent home from the tour due to the incident, publicly apologized for his actions.

On Instagram, he expressed deep remorse, stating, “Racism, in all its forms, is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in.” In a separate but related issue, Jaminet’s France teammates, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou face charges of aggravated rape involving a 39-year-old woman during the same tour. Both Auradou, 20 and Jegou, 21, assert that the sexual encounter was consensual and deny the rape allegations.

The FFR and the rugby community are addressing these serious matters, reflecting a broader effort to confront and eradicate discrimination and misconduct in the sport.