US Orléans coach Bernard Casoni, accused of making racist remarks at a press conference and in training, has been suspended.
“We must tell Mr Casoni that these things are no longer acceptable”, launches Wednesday October 11 the 98 world champion Lilian Thuram, guest of the France Bleu Orléans morning show after the suspension of the coach of theUS OrleansBernard Casoni.
The coach is accused of having made racist remarks regularly during his training or during a recent press conference. A sound recording supports this version. Bernard Casoni is therefore temporarily replaced by his deputies, for the duration of the investigation.
>> “They are no more stupid than North Africans”: US Orléans coach Bernard Casoni accused of racism
“They are no more stupid than North Africans”
According to several corroborating testimonies, Bernard Casoni would have the habit of making shocking or even racist remarks internally. The scene of September 21, 2023 recorded by France Bleu Orléans during a press conference, on the eve of a match between US Orléans and Châteauroux, testifies to this. Asked about the difficulties he encounters getting his group to adhere to his principles, here is the coach’s response:
“They (the players) have things where they excel. But there are things where it is not enough. (…) My role is to tell them, to show them and to help them to solve the problems. That’s it, that’s all. I’ve done it in all the clubs I’ve been to, I’ve done it with North Africans! They’re no more stupid than North Africans, eh”
Bernard Casoni, suspended coach of US Orléansat franceinfo
Other example with this scene which takes place during training, in the middle of August 2023. A USO player says.
“We were doing an exercise where two teams competed five against five. My team was made up only of colored players. There, the coach said, ‘no need for bibs for them, they are already black’, supposedly in a humorous tone. It shocked me”
a USO playerat France Bleu
Another player present at the time confirms the comments made by Bernard Casoni.
Two open investigations
According to France Bleu Orléans, five players from the club (starters and substitutes) testified against their coach. Several members of the Yellow and Red organization also confirm these attitudes and comments.
“We must congratulate all these people who no longer accept. We must encourage the victims to denounce”
Lilian Thuram, international footballerat France Bleu
The Orléans club has opened an internal investigation, and the Orléans public prosecutor’s office a preliminary investigation.