Matera hero to zero

[strawclearer]

What Matera said was racist and vile.

It was just as racist and vile when he said it at the age of 19 as it is now.

The World Health Organization considers anyone between the ages of 10 and 21 to be an adolescent, and most neurologists consider the brain still developing into the early third decade (early 20s).

Assuming he's made a genuine and fulsome apology (I haven't seen it), it's only his age which provides mitigation (just) and, once made, it's time to consider it a 'learning experience'.

ps In the light of this, I hope Tigers will be checking the social media history (as far as is reasonably practical) of any potential recruits. We clearly didn't do so when we recruited Matera - or did we?

[RagingBull]

We clearly didn't do so when we recruited Matera - or did we?

Zero chance of that.

[mol2]

So how many of us haven’t said or done something in our younger days that we are far from proud of now.

If it was a year or two ago it would be different. This was as an immature youth. Move on.

[Scott1]

So how many of us haven’t said or done something in our younger days that we are far from proud of now.

If it was a year or two ago it would be different. This was as an immature youth. Move on.

Hear hear!

[BFG]

Perhaps if his nation shared more wealth and spent more on education then the people might not be so divided and learn quicker.
Actually it's something I see growing in many countries including here.
Coming out of a divided country to travel the world playing rugby I expect has been a learning experience.

[JP14]

Surely an erasure of history would be Matera deleting the tweet, and getting away scot-free from any punishment as well nobody knowing about it?

Actions have consequences, if you think the UAR is infested with "wokery" then you have simply lost the plot!

I hate the term 'woke', now a convenient dismissal of issues, like 'too PC'. History is there to learn from and adjust our understanding of the present, both at a personal and a political level. Matera just got hoist by his adolescent prejudices, he'll live and has probably learnt.

Well so do I!

[Tigerbeat]

Pablo Matera is set to be reinstated as Pumas captain after the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) rescinded its sanction against him and two team-mates for "discriminatory and xenophobic" comments in historical social media posts.

Matera, along with lock Guido Petti and hooker Santiago Socino, were suspended on Tuesday for comments made between 2011 and 2013 which disparaged Black people and those from other South American nations.

Upon review, the UAR said the players had shown themselves to be "people with firm and upright values, worthy of being part of our team".

They added the players had faced a disciplinary hearing and their remorse, combined with their good behaviour in the years since the comments were posted, meant the suspension could be lifted.

However, the trio were left out of the Pumas side to face Australia in Saturday's Tri-Nations match against Australia, live on Sky Sports, with centre Jeronimo de la Fuente replacing Matera as captain

[kk20gb30]

Reinstated , BBC article:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55170028

[TigerCam]

Reinstated , BBC article:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55170028

Common sense finally prevails

[Scott1]

Common sense has prevailed!

[Dangerous4]

Whilst not condoning anything that was said, why is stuff from over seven years ago being dragged up now?

My thoughts exactly. Too much of these donkey's years old mumbo jumbo happening these days. Pathetic imo.

[JP14]

Not sure what is more disturbing, the speed of the UAR's U-turn or the reaction of some of these forum members?

[Hot_Charlie]

Not sure what is more disturbing, the speed of the UAR's U-turn or the reaction of some of these forum members?

Both.

UAR quick to brush it all under the carpet when the finger was pointed in the direction of their culture. A nice, diverse, tolerant culture that was bringing through their youth players.

Sadly, it has to be remembered, beyond sport, Argentina is a country with many longstanding issues from the top down. Corrupt politicians seem the norm, and the go-to hiding place for those trying to hide from justice post WW2 in the 1950s-1980s.

[AngusMcCoatup]

Not sure what is more disturbing, the speed of the UAR's U-turn or the reaction of some of these forum members?

Both.

UAR quick to brush it all under the carpet when the finger was pointed in the direction of their culture. A nice, diverse, tolerant culture that was bringing through their youth players.

Sadly, it has to be remembered, beyond sport, Argentina is a country with many longstanding issues from the top down. Corrupt politicians seem the norm, and the go-to hiding place for those trying to hide from justice post WW2 in the 1950s-1980s.

Let us not forget those that served our Country down there April to June 1982 and since!
However the game of Rugby has brought them some respect across the world.

[Hot_Charlie]

Let us not forget those that served our Country down there April to June 1982 and since!

Got that T-shirt.

However the game of Rugby has brought them some respect across the world.

Yep. It’s one of the few good news stories in a wider context.