Ivorian international rugby player Marvin Pivert has announced that he is pursuing legal action after being subjected to a wave of racial abuse on social media.
Pivert, who plays for Floirac, a local amateur rugby club near Bordeaux in southwestern France, was inundated with hateful messages following a TikTok post featuring him and his white girlfriend.
The 24-year-old prop, who has represented the Ivory Coast since 2022, shared that both he and his partner received hundreds of derogatory messages, which he described as racist, uninhibited, misogynistic, and sexist.
The couple revealed on their Instagram account that they had filed a formal complaint and have been supported by rugby clubs in the region, including Top 14 teams Bordeaux-Bègles and La Rochelle, as well as France international Cameron Woki.
The racist and misogynistic remarks have sparked outrage, with rugby communities rallying around Pivert and condemning the abuse.
The incident highlights the continuing issue of online racism and harassment, especially faced by athletes of African descent.
Pivert’s decision to take legal action reflects his determination to combat discrimination, sending a strong message against online hate.
