The French Football Federation announced that it will prosecute the perpetrators of the racist abuse inflicted on a number of its players, after the 2022 Qatar World Cup final match, after which it lost the title to Argentina on penalties (4-2), after an exciting match that was decided by a draw (3-3). ).
And the French Federation said in an official statement on its Twitter account – today, Tuesday – “After the World Cup final, a number of French national team players were subjected to racist violations and unacceptable abuse on social media, and as the French Federation condemns these violations and expressions of hate, it officially announces prosecute the perpetrators.
A la suite of the finale of the Coupe du Monde, more joueurs of the Equipe de France ont fait l'objet de propos racistes et haineux inacceptables sur les réseaux sociaux.
La FFF les condamne et va porter plainte contre ses auteurs.
pic.twitter.com/IrpaI246Es
- Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 20, 2022
In parallel, press reports stated that the French Football Federation is about to file a judicial complaint against people who racially targeted the players of the first team on social media.
racist campaign
The players of the French national team - including: Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchoamini, who missed two penalty kicks against Argentina - were subjected to racist expressions after the World Cup final, as was the case for Randall Kolo Mwani, who missed a golden opportunity to score in extra time.
French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who failed to save any penalty kick for Argentina, was also subject to racist targeting on social media platforms.
This is not the first time that French national team players have been subjected to racist targeting on social media, as Kylian Mbappe was targeted after wasting a penalty kick against Switzerland in the 16th round of Euro 2020 last year, to contribute to his country’s exit from the continental championship, as Mbappe complained after that. Not getting enough support from the French Football Association.
And last Monday, the three players who were subject to racist abuse - Kingsley Coman, Aurelien Tchoamene and Randall Kolo Mwani - were forced to close the messages and comments feature on their official accounts, on the social networking site "Instagram";
Because of the huge amount of racist messages and comments that targeted them after the match.
Connect with fans
And in exchange for targeting a number of them with racist comments, the French national team players were greeted by thousands of fans after their return to their country yesterday, Monday.
And the President of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Graet, revealed - today, Tuesday - that President Emmanuel Macron intervened to ask the national team players to meet the fans, after their defeat in the 2022 World Cup Qatar final against Argentina.
"The players initially wanted to return directly to their homes - yesterday, Monday - after losing last Sunday in a dramatic final, under the weight of disappointment, sadness and these difficult feelings, and I understood and respected this option," Le Graet told AFP.
And he continued, "The situation changed at around ten o'clock on Monday morning, after a conversation with President Macron, who wanted a moment of communication between the players and the fans. Naturally, the team and I accepted that."
After a day of contradictory statements and reactions to the abusive violations suffered by a number of roosters, the players finally appeared for a few minutes on Monday evening, on the balcony of the luxurious Crillon Hotel in the historic "La Concorde" square.
About 50,000 people thronged the public square waving, cheering and singing the national anthem, many waiting for more than four hours in the dark and cold.
Despite the festive atmosphere, some participants complained that the players were barely in sight, waving from the balcony behind the police cars, while several French players were delighted at the sight of the fans.
"It's a wonderful sight, it warms the heart," striker Marcus Thuram told TF1. "It gives us great pleasure to see that we were able to make so many French people proud and happy."
The reactions in France were very supportive of the national team, which was close to retaining its world title, despite a series of injuries to senior players.
Like: Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.
Macron's emotions in the final match at Lusail Stadium - last Sunday - sparked many comments, when the president was seen jumping from his seat during the match, before he went down to console the stunned players at the end, as they fell to the ground after penalty kicks.
Fiers de vous.
pic.twitter.com/9RMjIGMKGU
- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 18, 2022
Macron then gave a motivational speech after the match in the dressing room, which led to criticism from some opponents and local pundits, that he interfered too much with the national team.