The president of the FFF Noël Le Graët affirmed that racism "in sport, and football in particular, does not exist or hardly exists".
His remarks were condemned by many Internet users, including several former professional players.
The president of the French Football Federation Noël Le Graët said that racism "in sport, and football in particular, does not exist or hardly exists" Tuesday in an interview with BFM Business.
“In a match, there can be gaps, but overall, we have less than 1% of difficulties. There have been but you know, when a black scores a goal, the whole stadium is on its feet. racist phenomenon in sport and in football in particular, does not exist, or little, "said the president of the FFF.
Noël Le Graët was speaking two days after the PSG-OM match and the incident between Neymar and Alvaro Gonzalez, the Brazilian star of PSG accusing the central defender of OM of having uttered racist insults.
Words condemned by many Internet users
Noël Le Graët's comments immediately sparked many reactions on social networks.
"It's getting embarrassing," for example tweeted the former France team midfielder Olivier Dacourt.
It becomes embarrassing.
https://t.co/UAVOfJggO8
- Dacourt Olivier (@dacourtolivier) September 15, 2020
He is still the president of the world champion federation.
The president, we're talking about the president.
He lives on a parallel planet, I see no other explanation.
To think it, to say it on television after all that is happening on the fields is to vomit.
https://t.co/pq6kTQ6YKV
- (@walidacherchour) September 15, 2020
The French football leader also said he regretted the behavior of the PSG and OM players, which "was not exemplary, especially at the end".
"It's a shame because it is the match expected by all of France. They did not know how to keep their calm or give the spectacle that those who had the chance to see the images were waiting for," he said. .