Rugby player who gave black teammate a rotten banana against racism. “I have so much to learn”

The first appointment was in recent days in Verona, host of a meeting between second generation boys at the Feltrinelli bookshop for the presentation of the fanzine “Antirazin?”: Ivan Nemerpylon of the Benetton Trevisobegan his journey of “raising awareness on the issues of racism”, after the disqualification of the Fir following the stupid Christmas present (the infamous rotten banana) given to his teammate of African origin Cherif Traore. Anyone who knows Ivan well, born 23 years ago in Argentina, knows that he is a good boy. The most important thing is that his friendship with Cherif – also a front-line player – continues, indeed: it is stronger than ever. He has done something stupid, he knows it. He immediately realized it when Cherif – that he didn’t know who that “gift” had come from – reported the incident on social media. Between the two there was immediately an exchange of messages on whatsapp and then a meeting, concluded by a long hug. But the disqualification was inevitable, as is this right path that Ivan has begun to take and which in the coming weeks will lead him to visit various reception communities.

Nemer: “Against racism together with young people”

In this journey he is accompanied by “Racism is a bad story”, an association that works to combat discrimination through cultural initiatives and educational projects, part of the European Network Against Racism, born after the racist murder of the nineteen-year-old Italian Abdel William Guibre, known as Abba, in 2008 in Milan. “Meeting Gustavo and the boys was very nice, above all interesting”, says Nemer. “I had never found myself taking part in appointments that dealt with similar themes, it helped me realize how much we can still improve as a community. I want to thank Gustavo and Il Razzismo è una ugly story for the opportunity to work together over the months come, and the Federation and Benetton Rugby for having laid the foundations for this collaboration. I am curious and excited by the path that awaits me and by the idea of ​​being able to transfer my experience to the younger ones and learn from them”.

Nemer could participate in the World Cup in France

Nemer’s suspension expires on June 30th. The player is continuing to train, so it is reasonable to think that he could be considered for the rugby world cup September French. Also because of his versatility (he can play in all positions on the front row and in particular as a left prop, a very important position for the blue group). In the meantime, Ivan will also work as a scrum specialist in the FIR’s Migrant Project. In the coming weeks he will visit structures that support the journey of migrant people in transit on the border between Italy and France, he will be the protagonist of moments of exchange with associations and sports networks engaged in the fight against inequalities in Padua and Treviso. A parallel path will also be followed by all the other Benetton Treviso players.