Lewis Hamilton hits out at racist abuse of Randal Kolo Muani and Aurelien Tchouameni - 'Disgusted but not surprised'
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Published 22/12/2022 at 18:52 GMT
Aurelien Tchouameni and Randal Kolo Muani were moved to restrict comments on their social media comments after they and France team-mate Kingsley Coman were the subjects of racist abuse after they were defeated by Argentina in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final. Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton hit out at their experience and praised their efforts at the World Cup.
France duo targeted with racist abuse after penalty misses in WC final
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has hit out at racist comments aimed at Aurelien Tchouameni and Randal Kolo Muani after the World Cup final.
Tchouameni and Kolo Muani were two French players to feature for their national team on Sunday in Qatar, with Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni missing a penalty in the penalty shootout against Argentina.
Kolo Muani also took a spot-kick, scoring his as France lost 4-2 on penalties.
The game had been a hugely dramatic 3-3 draw with goals coming as late as the last few minutes of extra time, as Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick to keep his side in the game.
Kingsley Coman was also sent racist messages and both Kolo Muani and Tchouameni restricted comments on their Instagram accounts.
Hamilton wrote on his own Instagram account in a stories post, saying: "Disgusted but not surprised.
"@Aurelientchm and @R_kolomuani gave it everything.
"They're heroes to so many and deserve nothing but respect."
Earlier, the French Football Association had tweeted: "Following the World Cup final, several players of the French national team were subjected to unacceptable racist and hateful comments on social networks.
"The FFF condemns them and will file a complaint against their authors."
Coman's German side Bayern Munich, meanwhile, wrote on their own Twitter accout: "FC Bayern strongly condemn the racist comments made towards Kingsley Coman. The FC Bayern family is behind you, King. Racism has no place in sport or our society."
The abuse recalled the messages that were sent to Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford last summer, when England lost in their own penalty shootout in the final of the European Championships in Wembley lat year.
Hamilton has long been outspoken on anti-racism initiatives and was a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also discussed improving the diversity of Formula One and raised awareness of environmental issues.
The FIA moved this week to prohibit their drivers discussing their political beliefs, which could inflame the tension between the governing body and Hamilton after last season’s disagreement over his wearing of jewellery.
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