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regular-article-logo Tuesday, 07 May 2024

French players face racist online abuse after World Cup loss

Soccer federation says some players are hit by 'unacceptable racist and hateful comments on social networks'

Reuters, AP/PTI Paris Published 21.12.22, 04:17 AM
Representational image.

Representational image. File picture

The French soccer federation wants to take action against the social media users who targeted some of the national team’s players with racist comments following France’s loss to Argentina in the World Cup final.

The federation said on Tuesday that some players were hit by “unacceptable racist and hateful comments on social networks” and that it planned to file a complaint against those that posted abuse.

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“The French soccer federation condemns with the utmost firmness these intolerable behaviours and abuses,” it said in a statement.

Kingsley Coman, Aurelien Tchouameni and Randal Kolo Muani have been subjected to online racist abuse after France’s loss.

Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Coman’s effort from the spot and Tchouameni fired wide as Argentina captured their first world title since 1986, and third overall. Kolo Muani missed a chance to win the game in extra time.

Coman’s club Bayern Munich have posted a message of support for the 26-year-old, condemning the racist comments.

“The FC Bayern family is behind you, King. Racism has no place in sport or our society,” they said on Twitter.

According to reports, Real Madrid’s Tchouameni has limited comments on his Instagram posts. Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt turned them off.

French government officials have also expressed their indignation following the insults.

French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera tweeted her support for all the players abused, saying the heinous comments “have no place in soccer or anywhere else.”

France twice fought back for a 3-3 draw through extra time in Qatar before Argentina won a penalty shootout to cap one of the most exciting finals in World Cup history.

The incident follows the racist abuse aimed at England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy last year.

All three players missed their penalties in the shootout and were targeted on social media following the game.

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