Bastareaud: I'm so sorry

Last updated: 27th October 2009  

Bastareaud: I'm so sorry

Bastareaud: Has said sorry

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France centre apologises for lying about assault

France centre Mathieu Bastareaud has apologised for the trouble he caused by lying about being assaulted during the summer tour to New Zealand.

The 21-year-old had claimed that a gang of up to five people had attacked him as he return to the team's hotel following a night out to following the 14-10 defeat by the All Blacks in Wellington.

However Bastareaud was later forced to admit that he had actually injured his eye and needed stitches after falling over when drunk.

The incident led French Prime Minister Francois Fillon apologising to his New Zealand counterpart John Key, while Bastareaud was ordered to carry out community service work

And Bastareaud has now said sorry for the whole incident - with the Stade Francais ace hoping that he can revive his international future.

Disreputable state

"I want to offer my apologies to the French federation, the New Zealand federation, the staff and all the players of the French team," said Bastareaud.

"I'm really sorry about what happened.

"The right version of the incident is, as I said in a statement on June 25, that I came back late to the hotel in a rather disreputable state and I fell."

Bastareaud has already met up with France coach Marc Lievremont to speak about the incident - and that could lead to a recall for the November Tests.

"I met Marc Lievremont and we talked about what happened," Bastareaud said.

"He told me the gate of the French team was still open for me and I thank him."

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