Sunday 14 January 2018 22:18, UK
Mathieu Bastareaud faces an investigation after allegedly making a homophobic comment during Toulon's Champions Cup win over Benetton Rugby.
Tempers flared in the final minute at Stade Felix Mayol after Toulon centre Bastareaud conceded a penalty for a swinging arm on Sebastian Negri.
Negri took exception to the challenge and shoved Bastareaud, with the Benetton flanker's team-mates and referee Luke Pearce quickly stepping in to separate the players.
Television footage then appeared to show Bastareaud making a homophobic comment.
Bastareaud tweeted an apology on Sunday evening.
"Good evening everybody, I want to apologise to my response to the insults of the Italian player," he said.
"I reacted badly in responding to his provocation, I am sincerely sorry for the people I hurt."
A European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) statement read: "Bastareaud is alleged to have verbally abused a Benetton Rugby player in the 80th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12."
The maximum suspension for verbal abuse is 52 weeks, with six weeks the minimum. That would rule Bastareaud out of France's Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 3.
Toulon ran out 36-0 winners over Benetton to move top of Pool 5. They face second-place Scarlets in a winner-takes-all clash on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action.
