French soccer authorities are set to file criminal complaints against those who racially abused national team players on social media after the lost World Cup final against Argentina.
Sports daily L’Equipe reported on Tuesday that the national federation was to take legal action.
Players including Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni, who failed to convert in the deciding shoot-out in Qatar, and Randal Kolo Muani, who missed a big opportunity late in extra-time, were racially abused after Sunday’s match.
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who did not manage to save an Argentinian spot kick, was also abused online.
It was not the first time French players have been abused on social media. Kylian Mbappe was the target after he missed in a last 16 shoot-out against Switzerland at last year’s Euros in which France were eliminated.
Mbappe had complained afterwards that he wasn’t supported enough by the FFF.
Three black England players – Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – were also abused on social media after failing to score in the penalty shoot-out at the end of the European Championship final in 2021 .
Several people have subsequently been find and given jail sentences, mostly suspended, though one man got ten weeks in prison.
Discussion about this post