6 days ago
French FA condemns ‘hateful remarks' towards France Women after Euro 2025 quarter-final exit
The French Football Federation (FFF) says it 'strongly condemns' the abuse aimed at members of France's women's team following their 2025 European Championship exit.
The governing body added the case has been forwarded to the French National Centre for Combating Online Hate, which sits within the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office, as it seeks 'to punish any criminally reprehensible behaviour'.
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France were knocked out of the tournament following a penalty shootout defeat to Germany in the quarter-final. Despite their opponents being down to 10 players from the 13th minute, France were held to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes after Sjoeke Nusken cancelled out Grace Geyoro's early penalty.
The FFF said on Wednesday that 'certain French national team players' had since been targeted with 'hateful remarks'.
'Nothing can justify such displays of hatred,' an FFF statement read. 'The French Football Federation (FFF) expresses its full support for all the players concerned and reiterates its commitment to the values of respect and solidarity that are the foundation of our sport.'
The Athletic has contacted the French National Centre for Combating Online Hate for comment.
It is not the first instance of players at this year's European Championship being targeted with abuse.
England defender Jess Carter said on Sunday she had 'experienced a lot of racial abuse' during the tournament, prompting England to decide against taking the knee before matches for the remainder of the tournament. The Football Association (FA) said it had forwarded the matter to English police and was working with the relevant social media platforms to punish the offenders.
The England squad publicly supported Carter in the following days, and fellow defender Lucy Bronze said online abuse is getting 'worse and worse' as the women's game continues to grow.
The Athletic has contacted FIFPro, the body which represents the welfare of professional footballers worldwide, for comment.
