France’s Bastien Chalureau cleared of racism charge

French defender Bastien Chalureau has been cleared of racism by an appeals court after the Montpellier player was sentenced to prison for violence based on ethnicity, French media reported on Tuesday.

Chalureau was given a six-month suspended prison sentence in 2020 after being found guilty of “acts of violence committed because of the victim's race or ethnic origin.”

The Montpellier resident, who admitted to acts of violence but denied having made racist comments, appealed against this conviction.

“Bastien Chalureau’s honor has been vindicated,” declared his lawyer David Mendel, quoted by Le Parisien.

“There were no racist insults in this case. Bastien Chalureau is not proud of the violence he committed, but he is not racist.

“It’s an event that has lasted for several years… I am satisfied for this athlete who, as I speak to you, is training, will continue to train and progress as he has always done since several years.”

Chalureau had always insisted he was not racist amid the outcry over his call-up to the Rugby World Cup squad last year.

“Since day one, I have admitted my mistakes but I have denied the allegations of racism. I am not racist,” Chalureau said through tears last year.

“I wanted to come and say it out loud…because it’s something that affects my team and my family as well.”