- A supporter of Roanne's basketball team has been convicted of racist slurs.
- The facts date back to a match in November 2019 and targeted referees.
- Despite his apologies, he was sentenced to a fine of 800 euros.
Tuesday, a supporter of the Roanne Basket Choir (Jeep Elite), found guilty of racist insults against two referees last November, was fined 800 euros by the city's criminal court.
The prosecution requested a 2,000 euros fine, half of which could be accompanied by the suspension. The 59-year-old man, with no previous criminal record, expressed “regret” and “shame” for the words spoken at the hearing. He apologized to the victims.
A "first in professional basketball"
This technician, prosecuted for "public insult by word because of the origin, the ethnicity, the race or the religion", which incurs a maximum sentence of one year in prison and 45,000 euros of fine, was summoned for the third time before the Criminal Court of Roanne in the context of this case which had caused a stir last year.
The court also ordered him to pay 250 euros in damages and 500 euros in legal costs to the Licra, which had become a civil party, while the Chorale Roanne basket was unsuccessful in its constitution of civil party.
“To my knowledge, this is a first in professional basketball,” said Fabrice Canet, communication manager for the French Basketball Federation and referee.
Systematic prosecutions
Present at the hearing, the general manager of the Roanne club, Nicolas Reveret, for his part considered that "all insults uttered in a sports arena should be prosecuted, not only those of a racist nature".
It was on November 5, 2019, during a 16th round of the Coupe de France between the Choir of Roanne and Boulazac (Dordogne), that this supporter had uttered racist insults against these two referees.
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