‘I am not a racist’ – Bastien Chalureau addresses controversy after World Cup call-up

France lock Bastien Chalureau denies accusations that he is racist following his controversial call-up to the World Cup squad.

Chalureau was added to Les Bleus’ 33-man squad by head coach Fabien Galthie following the injury withdrawal of Paul Willemse.

The 31-year-old is appealing his suspended six-month prison sentence for a racially-motivated attack in 2020.

His call-up has been met with backlash in France and has addressed the controversy.

“I confessed to my mistakes”

“I am not a racist, I do not have those values,” he told a press conference on Monday.

“What I want to say to you is that I confessed to my mistakes, that I paid my debts and I deny all claims about racist remarks.”

While visiting the squad on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron was recorded telling head coach Galthie: “We don’t want the controversy getting out of hand.”

The second rower was tearful during his press conference and said France’s coaching staff and management were fully aware of the assault, which led to him leaving his former club, Toulouse.

“We discussed the matter with the French team staff,” he said.

“They knew from the start, it is an old case and known by a lot of people.

“I wanted to come out in public and address all my teammates, my family -as it does not just affect me.

“I am not a racist, I bring people together. The beauty of rugby is it brings together people from all communities.”

Backlash from Dusautoir

Former France captain Thierry Dusautoir, a friend of one of the victims of the attack, said he has never supported the second-row forward playing for France.

“I’ve always had a problem with him being in the French national team,” Dusautoir told Canal Plus.

“I’m aware that I’m not objective in this.”

READ MORE: Fabien Galthie defends selecting convicted racist in Rugby World Cup squad