Olympique Lyonnais condemns the racist behavior of certain “supporters” against Houssem Aouar

“Football is universal.” Here are the words used by Olympique Lyonnais, Wednesday March 22, to defend their midfielder Houssem Aouar against insults racists suffered by the latterafter his choice to represent Algeria sportingly. Entered during the game against Nantes (1-1), Friday March 17 at Groupama stadium, the 24-year-old midfielder, at the end of his contract in June and in very marked decline in speed for several months, had been the victim of whistles and racist insults by some of his “supporters”, who had also sung the Marseillaise to mark their disapproval of his choice.

But the harassment endured by the Algerian also continued on social networks. The club of the city of Gones affirmed “condemn hate” and provide support for “Houssem Aouar as well as all victims of racism and discriminatory acts because of their origins or life choices”. The native of Lyon, and product of local training, had been an international French hopeful and had even obtained a cape with the France A team, in 2020, during a friendly match (against Ukraine).