The Argentine Rugby Union has stripped Pablo Matera of the national captaincy and stood down the flanker and two other players from Saturday’s final Tri Nations Test as they investigate “discriminatory and xenophobic” Twitter posts.
Key points:
- Matera’s dismissal as captain comes only days ahead of Argentina’s Test against Australia
- His Pumas teammates Guido Petti and Santiago Socino were also suspended
- Matera captained the Pumas to their historic first Test victory over the All Blacks last month
Matera allegedly made the comments on Twitter between 2011 and 2013, which have resurfaced on social media.
The Argentine Rugby Union issued at statement this afternoon condemning the comments and announcing Matera’s sacking before the clash with the Wallabies at the Western Sydney Stadium.
“The Argentine Rugby Union strongly repudiates the discriminatory and xenophobic comments published by members of the Los Pumas team on social media,” the statement read.
The Argentine Rugby Union said it would taken action against Matera — and teammates Guido Petti and Santiago Socino — as part of a three-step process while it conducted an investigation.
“In the first place, [we] revoke the captaincy of Pablo Matera and request the staff to propose a new captain to the board of directors,” the statement read.
“Second, suspend Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino from the national team until their disciplinary situation is defined.
“Third, initiate a disciplinary process for the three mentioned players, in charge of the Disciplinary Commission of the Argentine Rugby Union.
“Although the messages were expressed between 2011 and 2013 and do not represent the integrity as people that the three showed during this time in Los Pumas, from the Argentine Rugby Union we condemn any expression of hatred and we consider it unacceptable that those who express them represent our country.”
Matera captained the Pumas to their historic first Test victory over New Zealand at the Western Sydney Stadium last month.
He has played 69 Tests since making his international debut in 2013.
The Pumas have been based in Australia since October while taking part in the Tri Nations tournament against the Wallabies and All Blacks.
AAP
