PARIS (AP) — The French soccer federation has condemned the racist abuse directed at Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana after the Premier League team's loss at Arsenal. The governing body said on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, that the online attacks "are unacceptable" and called for the abusers to be prosecuted and sanctioned.
Philippe Diallo, president of the French soccer federation, expressed his unwavering support for Fofana, stating, "I want to assure Wesley of my full support. On the pitch as elsewhere, racism is intolerable. It must be fought and punished." The federation's strong denunciation comes on the heels of Fofana shedding light on the distressing messages he received after Chelsea’s narrow defeat to Arsenal on March 16, 2025.
The abuse aimed at the 24-year-old Marseille native included racist text and offensive monkey emojis, showing a troubling trend of online harassment targeting players. Chelsea Football Club responded to this alarming rise in online abuse by stating they were "appalled and disgusted" by the attacks directed towards their players.
Fofana, who played the entire match except for his substitution after 86 minutes, took to Instagram to share the hurtful messages he received, which quickly drew widespread condemnation across the football community.
French captain Kylian Mbappé also voiced his concern about the situation, expressing his worries that efforts to combat racism in soccer have not made substantial progress. "Unfortunately, we are turning around in circles because nothing is moving forward. Nothing is changing," Mbappé remarked. Speaking at a pre-match news conference ahead of France's Nations League quarterfinal against Croatia, scheduled shortly after the incident, he lamented, "It's hard to tell yourself that in 2025 we are going back to square one each time."
Mbappé assured Fofana that he has the support of the entire national team, emphasizing that the team's unity extends beyond mere words. "If he needs anything we are here for him," he added, highlighting the collective compassion for their teammate amid the difficult circumstances.
The federation's condemnation and the players' solidarity underscore a pivotal moment in football, where the battle against racism continues to be a pressing issue. Despite various measures and campaigns aimed at eradicating discriminatory behavior, incidents like the one involving Fofana reveal that there is still much work to be done.
Following the federation’s condemnation, there is hope for a systemic change in how incidents of online abuse are handled. Advocacy for stricter penalties and a unified front from clubs, leagues, and fans alike may pressure governing bodies to act more decisively against racism in sports.
