Cherif Traoré posts follow-up message on Santa’s racist secret

[ad_1]

Disgraced Ireland international Simon Zebo has waded into the line of Cherif Traore’s racism, calling on Benetton to name and sack the team-mate who gave the prop a banana as a secret gift from Santa. The Guinean-born Italian rower took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal what happened to him at the URC club on Tuesday.

As traditionally in a team, it’s Santa’s secret hour. A friendly and fun time. A time when you can afford to offer anonymous gifts to your friends, even stingy and ironic. Yesterday [Tuesday]when it was my turn, I found a banana in my present.

A rotten banana, inside a moisture bag. Other than calling the gesture offensive, which hurt me the most and seeing most of my comrades in attendance laughing. As if everything was normal.

I’m used to it, or better, I had to get used to it, having to make a good face at a bad game every time I hear racist jokes to try not to hate people close to me.

“Yesterday was different, though. Fortunately, some comrades, especially foreigners, tried to support me. Outside of Italy, a gesture like this is harshly condemned even in small realities, and this time I mean mine.

Name and shame the bastard

Should you be unemployed? pic.twitter.com/xWwcYX99xh

— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) December 21, 2022

I’ve been up all night. Young men from different backgrounds attended this Secret Santa. I decided not to be silent this time to make sure that episodes like this don’t happen again to prevent other people from finding themselves in my current situation in the future. And hoping that the sender will learn a lesson.

Seeing the message, the Munster winger Zebo, who has spoken out against racism in rugby in the past, tweeted: Name and shame the bastard. Should be unemployed.

A different line was drawn under the case at Benetton, however, after Traore accepted the club’s apology for the incident. A statement read: The entire squad group has been summoned following what happened to Cherif Traore.

The meeting opened with the words of President Amerino Zatta and General Manager Antonio Pavanello, who reaffirmed to all those present the firm position of condemnation of the company towards any form of expression of racism and discrimination. This then continued with all the green and white players apologizing to their teammate.

After accepting the apology, Traoré said in the statement: The meeting this afternoon was an opportunity to discuss and understand how what one of my companions did during the exchange of gifts Christmas is purely the result of idiocy and nothing else.

I appreciate and accept his apologies and those of the entire team. I’m happy with the gesture and I’m sure what happened will make the group even stronger. We are a family and as such we will continue to engage on and off the pitch, fighting, as we have always done, against all forms of discrimination.

Club chairman Zatta added: “What happened against Cherif in no way reflects our identity and the values ​​that the Benetton family have held for years. I’m glad Cherif accepted the apology, understanding the absurd stupidity committed by one of his teammates.

I am sure that this will strengthen the feeling of cohesion within the group and that such a gesture will never again find fertile ground within our family.

Co-captain Michele Lamaro said: On behalf of the entire team, I reiterate that we condemn any expression of racism and that no form of discrimination is accepted in our dressing room. We are all aware that certain limits should never be crossed. I wish to communicate publicly that as a team, we have decided to strengthen our social commitment by committing ourselves to a path aimed at combating all forms of discrimination.

Traore then posted a follow-up message on his Instagram, writing that Christmas was a time of forgiveness. Christmas is around the corner. Christmas is kindness, Christmas is gratitude, Christmas is forgiveness. I speak these words in my life this year and I want to put them into practice.

We don’t always get what we deserve and I admit it’s painful when that happens. But if you want to receive good, do it yourself first, right? The episode I experienced is viral and tonight I want to take that step first. I’m not like who put me through this.

My 22 Christmas words will be just kindness, gratitude and forgiveness. Goodness because I want to take this situation and turn it into a good one. One day I will look back and be proud of the choice I made. I am grateful to my club, my team and all those who showed me closeness.

And I want to forgive, which I admit doesn’t mean forgetting something, being passive when it happened. But I want to heal my wounds and carry on with my head held high without any weight on my heart. I am ready to start 23 years with the smile and the courage that have always distinguished me. Will you support me?

[ad_2]