Mourad Boudjellal to lodge complaint for defamation after EPCR fines him
Mourad Boudjellal has been slammed a hefty fine by EPCR
©PA
RC Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal said he will neither appeal nor pay the fine of €75,000 handed by the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) following his comments during the last season.
The comments from the Toulon owner came following his club's game against Benetton Treviso in relation to the alleged homophobic remarks of Mathieu Bastareaud which were captured on camera during the game.
Bastareaud was handed a three-week ban for his 'direct homophobic abuse' but the decision did not go well with the Toulon president.
“At no point did Mathieu Bastareaud make a judgement on the sexual orientation of the player in question.
“I am not homophobic but I have already called someone a fagg*t. It’s become customary, it’s the first thing that comes to mind in an altercation.
“I am worried. What I fear is the mormon side of EPCR with the Welsh and the Irish.”
An independent disciplinary committee comprising of Chairman, Philip Evans QC (England), Dan White (England) and Jean-Noël Couraud (France) referring to the comments made by Boudjellal stated that the committee allegedly condoned homophobic conduct, discriminated against and insulted various groups, and brought the game of rugby into disrepute by attacking, disparaging and criticising EPCR.
Further, the statement added that the committee also took into account the poor disciplinary track record of Boudjellal and poor conduct during the disciplinary process that had led to the increase in sanction.
Apart from the sanction, Boudjellal also received a warning of further €25,000 fine and a ban from EPCR competitions for three years if there is a repeat of any similar offence.
Responding to the decision from EPCR, Boudjellal said he will neither appeal nor abide by the sanction but instead has decided to take on the matter legally.
“Yes. I asked my lawyer to do it right away. I will not appeal, I will not pay and I will sue for defamation," he told French publication Midi Olympique.
"I will not let this accusation of homophobia go and I am tired of this harassment.”
