Rugby: Argentina Rugby strips Pablo Matera of captaincy, knocks down two others for historic offensive social positions

Argentina Rugby Union revoked Pablo Matera’s captaincy, following revelations of historical tweets that were deemed offensive.

In a quick response from the governing body, Matera along with two other players Guido Petti and Santiago Socino have also been suspended from the national team, pending a disciplinary situation.

It means that all three players will not participate in their Tri Nations final against the Wallabies this weekend. The Pumas have a long shot of claiming the trophy.

In a statement, Argentina Rugby said the positions do not represent them in any way as a union.

“The Argentine Rugby Union strongly repudiates the discriminatory and xenophobic comments posted by members of the Los Pumas squad on social media.

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 “.

The actions follow the apologies of the three players, who took to Instagram to express their regret for the posts that were discovered, sparking massive outrage from the online community.

“Today I have to take care of what I said 9 years ago,” Matera posted on her Instagram account.

“I had a harder time. I am very ashamed. Apologies to everyone who was offended by the atrocities I wrote. At that moment I did not imagine who I was going to become.

“I am also sorry to my team and my family for the moment they are going through my actions and thanks to the people who love me for their support.”

Tweets focusing on the 27-year-old Matera included criticism directed at black people, as well as Bolivian and Paraguayan maids.

He has since closed his Twitter account.

Matera recently entered the national treasury arena after his leadership helped lead the Pumas to a historic 25-15 victory over the All Blacks in the Three Nations.

Petti, another member of the team, joined Matera in apologizing for the actions on social media, saying he is “ very sorry and embarrassed by what he said. ”

Petti once tweeted a derogatory statement about a maid pregnant with triplets.

Socino added to the reckoning, saying: “I want to apologize to those who were offended by what I said at the time, and what I absolutely repudiate. I never realized what it could cause, and I do not seek to justify it with immaturity. with which I dealt with “.

Matera and the team were also criticized for failing to properly honor Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, who died last Thursday at age 60.

Before kickoff, the All Blacks paid tribute to the late footballer by presenting the Pumas with a signed jersey, and Maradona’s name and number 10 printed on the back.