The French Rugby League Federation has blocked French Elite Championship side Avignon from signing a former second-tier rugby union player after he was found guilty of racially abusing an opponent.
According to Wales Online, French scrum-half Ludovic Radosavljevic had called opponent Nevers player Christian Ambadiang, a “banana eater” after claiming “I will burn you” when the two sides met back in September.
Radosavljevic was later banned for 26 match weeks after he was found guilty of the indiscretion in an admission that rocked the 15-a-side code.
However, Avignon had registered his signature earlier in the week, only for the French rugby league authorities to revoke it after they initially accept it.
A club statement said: “The whole club wants to give Ludovic a second chance. We do not endorse or share his words, which are in no way based on his values.
“This sentence is a mistake, not a conviction, for which he immediately admitted his wrongs and issued a public apology.
“Ludovic has proven, in more than 10 years of high level, his sporting and human qualities. It is now a new challenge at XIII that opens for him, but also for the club.
“This is the first time in the history of the French XIII that a former professional TOP14 player in this position has joined the Elite 1 championship.
“He is committed to maintaining an exemplary attitude, as he always had during his previous professional adventures, a necessary condition for his integration into the Club.
“We have no doubt that the inclusion of Ludovic in the Group, approved by all of the club’s stakeholders, will be a great experience.”
The French Federation have now revoked his registration pending an investigation, despite initially granting it.
A FFR statement said: “After a thorough check and an exchange with the club concerned, the federation
confirms having received a license request from the Avignon club.
“This license was issued on November 17 by the administrative licensing service of the FFR XIII.
“As soon as the Federation has been informed of the particular situation of this player, the license has was immediately suspended as a precaution last night, pending the ethics committee of the FFR XIII (meeting) today
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