Cherif Traore

Italy prop Cherif Traore has revealed he was given a rotten banana during Benetton's Secret Santa in an incident that drew laughter from team-mates.

We are a family and as such we will continue to commit ourselves on and off the pitch, fighting, as we always have, against all forms of discrimination." "I'm glad that Cherif accepted the apology, understanding the absurd stupidity of one of his team-mates. "I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. And hoping the sender will learn a lesson...." Or rather, I've had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. "Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present.

The Guinea-born 28-year-old said: 'What hurt me most was seeing most of my mates present laughing'

We have always proved it with deeds, not just with words, and we will continue to strongly support it. Or rather, I’ve had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. “Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present.

BENETTON have been forced to issue a statement when their prop Cherif Traore revealed that he was sent a rotten banana as part of the squad's Secret Santa.

“With reference to the post that appeared this morning on the social profiles of Cherif Traorè, Benetton would like to reiterate that it has always condemned with the utmost firmness any expression of racism and/or form of discrimination. “I’m used to it, or I’ve had to get used to it, having to put a brave face on whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. I have decided not to remain silent this time to ensure that episodes like this don’t happen again to prevent other people finding themselves in my current situation in the future. “We have always proved it with deeds, not just with words. A rotten banana, inside a wet bag. Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present.

Cherif Traore has posted a follow-up message on an emotional day where Simon Zebo called on Benetton to sack one of the prop's teammates.

But I want to lick my wounds and carry on with my head up high with no weight on my heart. One day I will look back and be proud of the choice I made. [Michele Lamaro](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/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. “I appreciate and accept his apologies and those of the entire team. “We don’t always get what we deserve and I admit it’s painful when that happens. I would like to communicate publicly that as a team we have decided to strengthen our social commitment by embarking on a path aimed at the fight against any form of discrimination.” Club president Zatta added: “What happened against Cherif does not in any way reflect our identity and the values that the Benetton family has been carrying forward for years. A statement read: “The entire team group was summoned following what happened to Cherif Traore. Outside Italy, a gesture like this is severely condemned even in small realities, and this time I want to say mine. I have decided not to remain silent this time to ensure that episodes like this don’t happen again to prevent other people finding themselves in my current situation in the future. Apart from calling the gesture offensive, what hurt me most and seeing most of my mates present laughing. The Guinea-born Italian front-rower took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal what had happened to him at the URC club on Tuesday.

The Italy and Benetton prop Cherif Traore has revealed that he received a rotten banana as part of the club's Secret Santa.

The club said: “With reference to the post that appeared this morning on the social profiles of Cherif Traorè, Benetton would like to reiterate that it has always condemned with the utmost firmness any expression of racism and/or form of discrimination. “I’m used to it, or I’ve had to get used to it, having to put a brave face on whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. I have decided not to remain silent this time to ensure that episodes like this don’t happen again to prevent other people finding themselves in my current situation in the future. “We have always proved it with deeds, not just with words. A rotten banana, inside a wet bag. A friendly and playful moment.

Italy rugby player Cherif Traore has received apologies from his Benetton Treviso teammates after he revealed that he was given a rotten banana during a ...

Separately, Traore posted a second Instagram message that discussed forgiveness and looking ahead to the new year. It said they reaffirmed the club's stance against racism, and that players apologized to Traore. And hoping the sender will learn a lesson...”

Italian rugby has been rocked by a racism controversy after Benetton's Guinea-born prop, Cherif Traore, revealed that he had received a banana in the club's ...

Should be out of a job.’ Traore went on to explain that the reaction of several team-mates was part of what convinced him to speak out about the prejudicial behaviour he had been subjected to, adding: ‘Apart from calling the gesture offensive, what hurt me most was seeing most of my mates present laughing. A rotten banana inside a bag of moisture.’

Rome – Italy prop Cherif Traore, who is Black, said on Wednesday he would no longer stay silent about the racism he has suffered after a club teammate gave ...

The Guinea-born 28-year-old, who has won 16 caps including during the 2022 Six Nations, used social media to outline what he describes as an “offensive ...

We have always proved it with deeds, not just with words, and we will continue to strongly support it. Or rather, I’ve had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. “Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present.

The United Rugby Championship club initially released a statement condemning racism but made no mention of an investigation in response to Traore's shocking ...

Or rather, I’ve had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. A rotten banana inside a bag of moisture,” he said on the now-deleted Instagram post. “I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. “Thankfully some comrades, especially foreigners, tried to support me. “I’m used to it. Traore, who emigrated to Italy from west Africa as a seven-year-old and has won 16 Italy caps, revealed that he was “hurt” by the reaction of his team-mates when he opened his present.

Cherif Traore says he has accepted apologies from his team mates at Benetton after he received a racist Christmas gift.

“And I want to forgive, which I admit, doesn’t mean forgetting the story, nor being passive in front of what happened. “‘Good’ because I want to take this situation and turn it to ‘good’. “The episode I experienced is now viral and tonight I want to take this step first. “I appreciated and accepted his apologies and those of the entire team. The words of my Christmas ’22 will be ‘kindness, gratitude and forgiveness’. But if you want to receive good, start doing it first, right?

Italy prop Traore revealed on Instagram that he received a rotten banana from an anonymous colleague in the club's Secret Santa and that other players reacted ...

With a regular donation to our monthly Fighting Fund, we can continue to thumb our noses at the fat cats and tell truth to power. The Morning Star is unique, as a lone socialist voice in a sea of corporate media. A rotten banana inside a bag of moisture,” he said on the now-deleted Instagram post. Or rather, I’ve had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. “I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. “Thankfully some comrades, especially foreigners, tried to support me.

Cherif Traore, 28, who migrated to Italy from west Africa as a seven-year-old and has won 16 Italy caps, says he was "hurt" by the gesture.

We have always proved it with deeds, not just with words, and we will continue to strongly support it," the statement read. "When it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present. He wrote: "Christmas is coming and as traditionally in a team it's Secret Santa time. "I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. (This) was different though." As if everything is normal," he added in an Instagram post.

Simon Zebo, Ellis Genge, Luther Burrell and Paolo Odogwu are among those voicing outrage.

Or rather, I’ve had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. “Thankfully some comrades, especially foreigners, tried to support me. “I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. “Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present. “I’m used to it. now it’s damage control for them 😤”

Benetton have suspended one of their players after prop Cherif Traore was given a rotten banana as a Christmas gift from a team-mate.

Or rather, I've had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. "Thankfully some comrades, especially foreigners, tried to support me. "I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. "Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present. "I'm used to it. "Benetton Rugby and the FIR inform that the Federal Prosecutor has launched the necessary investigations to ascertain the facts, as well as the collective and individual responsibilities, to protect the founding values and reputation of the game.

The United Rugby Championship demanded on Thursday that Benetton launch a full inquiry in the expectation of sanctioning those responsible.

Or rather, I’ve had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. “Thankfully some comrades, especially foreigners, tried to support me. “I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. “Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present. “I’m used to it. now it’s damage control for them.”

Italy prop Cherif Traore has accepted an apology from Benetton team-mates after he was given a rotten banana during the club's Secret Santa, with the club ...

Or rather, I've had to get used to it, putting on a brave face whenever I hear racist jokes in order to try not to hate the people close to me. "Thankfully some comrades, especially foreigners, tried to support me. "I appreciate and accept his apology and that of the entire team. "Yesterday, when it was my turn, I found a banana inside my present. "I'm used to it. "Benetton Rugby and the Italian Rugby Federation, in the aftermath of the affair involving some of the members of the franchise, wish to reiterate their firm condemnation of all forms of racism and discrimination, which have no place and must not have any place within the Italian rugby movement, sport and civil society," the statement read.

URC officials have issued a statement confirming they are investigating the racist Cherif Traore incident that took place at Benetton.