Activists target French soccer head for downplaying racism

Posted September 16, 2020 7:00 am

The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) - French anti-racism activists criticized the country's soccer federation president on Wednesday for not taking the sport's problems seriously enough.

The SOS Racisme campaign group issued a statement asking NoÃ«l Le GraÃ«t and other French soccer officials "to stop treating questions of racism with such disdain.'ť

The debate in French soccer flared after Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar claimed he was racially abused by a Marseille player during a heated league game between the traditional rivals Sunday.

Asked about the incident, Le GraÃ«t - the French federation president and a European delegate to the ruling committee of world governing body FIFA - said the problem of racism was 'œat less than one percent now. 'ť

'œWhen a Black player scores a goal, the whole stadium is on its feet," the 78-year-old Le GraÃ«t told broadcaster BFM Business. "This phenomenon of racism in sport, and in football in particular, does not exist at all or barely does.'ť

SOS Racisme said 'œonce again it seems that the governing bodies in football are reluctant to take the problem seriously.'ť

The activist group later displayed a banner targeting Le GraÃ«t outside the Paris headquarters of the French federation.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PSG???s Neymar leaves the pitch after getting a red card during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, Sunday, Sept.13, 2020. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) The Associated Press

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