PARIS (Reuters) - European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has opened disciplinary proceedings against Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal after he defended Mathieu Bastareaud following the French international's homophobic remarks.
Bastareaud made the comments during a 36-0 Champions Cup victory against Benetton Treviso last month before apologising on social media.
Boudjellal, however, told the French rugby website rugbyrama.fr: "At no point did Mathieu Bastareaud make a judgement on the sexual orientation of the player in question. I'm not homophobic but I've called someone a faggot. It's become normal, it's the first thing that comes to mind in an argument."
EPCR, which had started an investigation last month, said in a statement that a hearing date would be set later.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
