Mathieu Bastareaud
Encyclopedia
Mathieu Bastareaud is a French rugby union
centre who plays for Toulon.
He was included in the 2009 Six Nations squad, also his international debut. He scored two tries on his Six Nations debut against Scotland at Murrayfield and also impressed in the match against Wales, which France won 21–16, on 27 February 2009. He later played against England and as a replacement against Italy in the same competition. After some very impressive performances for his club, Matthieu was involved in the 2010 Six Nations Championships and is a key figure for the French side. He stood out as an extreme powerhouse as he scored two tries against Scotland and kept on impressing against Ireland and Wales. He was rested for the majority of the game against Italy but was brought on for the last 15 minutes and nearly scored with a 10 metre leg charge.
hotel as he was returning from a night out. The New Zealand Police
launched an investigation into the assault and turned up security camera footage of Bastareaud returning uninjured to his hotel with four other people at 5:22 am that night, confirming the assault could not have taken place. Bastareaud subsequently stated that he had been drunk and had sustained the injuries after tripping over a table in his hotel room, and that he had concocted the original story in order to avoid getting in trouble with team management.
Then on 29 June, L'Equipe
reported that he had been admitted to a psychiatric facility after attempting suicide. Pierre Camou, President of the French Rugby Federation has referred the case to their Disciplinary Committee and asked them to investigate.
The incident proved to have diplomatic implications. Following the initial assault allegation, international media speculated on New Zealand's security and suitability as a tourist destination and host country , especially leading into the 2011 Rugby World Cup
, spurring New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
to issue an official apology for the incident.
Following the later revelations, French Prime Minister François Fillon
sent a letter to Key, in which he apologised for the unfortunate affair and spoke of the strong relationship between France and New Zealand, a rare official intervention in sporting issues for the French.
In 2010, he was selected in the French Barbarians squad to play Tonga
on 26 November.
, is Bastareaud's cousin.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
centre who plays for Toulon.
Stade Francais
Bastareaud played for Creteil Rugby youth squads and then moved to Massy. He went through the junior academy there and played for the third division club SU Massy. He attracted national attention and after two seasons he moved to European giants Stade Français.He was included in the 2009 Six Nations squad, also his international debut. He scored two tries on his Six Nations debut against Scotland at Murrayfield and also impressed in the match against Wales, which France won 21–16, on 27 February 2009. He later played against England and as a replacement against Italy in the same competition. After some very impressive performances for his club, Matthieu was involved in the 2010 Six Nations Championships and is a key figure for the French side. He stood out as an extreme powerhouse as he scored two tries against Scotland and kept on impressing against Ireland and Wales. He was rested for the majority of the game against Italy but was brought on for the last 15 minutes and nearly scored with a 10 metre leg charge.
RC Toulonnais
In July 2011 Mathieu was finally allowed his wish to join Toulon. He had previously declared his wish to leave and with Stade Francais suffering major financial difficulties, (which saw them come close to being relegated) his wish was eventually granted. He signed a 3 year contract.2009 New Zealand tour
Bastareaud was included in the French tour to New Zealand and Australia in June 2009, but returned to France early after sustaining facial injuries. He initially claimed that he had been assaulted from behind by "four or five men" outside his WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
hotel as he was returning from a night out. The New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
launched an investigation into the assault and turned up security camera footage of Bastareaud returning uninjured to his hotel with four other people at 5:22 am that night, confirming the assault could not have taken place. Bastareaud subsequently stated that he had been drunk and had sustained the injuries after tripping over a table in his hotel room, and that he had concocted the original story in order to avoid getting in trouble with team management.
Then on 29 June, L'Equipe
L'Équipe
L'Équipe is a French nationwide daily newspaper devoted to sports, owned by Éditions Philippe Amaury. The paper is noted for coverage of football , rugby, motorsports and cycling...
reported that he had been admitted to a psychiatric facility after attempting suicide. Pierre Camou, President of the French Rugby Federation has referred the case to their Disciplinary Committee and asked them to investigate.
The incident proved to have diplomatic implications. Following the initial assault allegation, international media speculated on New Zealand's security and suitability as a tourist destination and host country , especially leading into the 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
, spurring New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
to issue an official apology for the incident.
Following the later revelations, French Prime Minister François Fillon
François Fillon
François Charles Armand Fillon is the Prime Minister of France. He was appointed to that office by President Nicolas Sarkozy on 17 May 2007. He served initially until 13 November 2010 when he resigned from being prime minister before a planned cabinet reshuffle.On 14 November 2010, Sarkozy...
sent a letter to Key, in which he apologised for the unfortunate affair and spoke of the strong relationship between France and New Zealand, a rare official intervention in sporting issues for the French.
In 2010, he was selected in the French Barbarians squad to play Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
on 26 November.
Personal life
French international football player, William GallasWilliam Gallas
William Eric Gallas is a French footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur.Gallas began his career in France, before being signed by English club Chelsea in 2001. He transferred to rivals Arsenal as part of an exchange deal in 2006...
, is Bastareaud's cousin.