Seven-time World Driver’s Championship title winner Lewis Hamilton showed solidarity towards French soccer players Randal Kolo Muani and Aurelien Tchouameni following the racial abuse they faced. This is in the aftermath of their 4-2 defeat on penalties in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina.
France was on its way to creating history when it faced Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. The French side led by Hugo Lloris could have become the first to retain a FIFA World Cup in 60 years. Brazil was the last team to do it all the way back in 1962. However, it was not meant to be. Argentina, instead, won their first FIFA World Cup in 36 years.
Lewis Hamilton on IG. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2gmFkU8xiZ
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 21, 2022
Hamilton uploaded a show of support on his Instagram story saying:
“Disgusted but not surprised. Tchouameni and Kolo Muani gave it everything. They’re heroes to so many and deserve nothing but respect.”
The Formula 1 great, Hamilton, took to his social media to show support for the French duo. The British driver stated that he was disgusted by the response the French players received, however, he was not surprised.
Randal Kolo Muani and Aurelien Tchouameni were forced to turn off comments because of racist abuse online
Both the French youngsters, Kolo Muani and Tchouameni, faced a disappointing end to their otherwise excellent FIFA World Cup debut campaigns. Real Madrid’s $107 million man, Tchouameni, lost the battle of wits against Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. He missed his penalty during the shootout and the match ended in Argentina’s favor.
On the other hand, Kolo Muani converted his penalty convincingly. However, the Eintracht Frankfurt forward missed a 123rd-minute opportunity to win France the match. He was one-on-one with Martinez but the keeper’s outstretched leg made the crucial save.
After France lost to Argentina yesterday, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kolo Muani had to deactivated their Instagram comments because of racist abuse.
They gave their all for France but what did they got in the end? RACISM and HATRED! pic.twitter.com/6Lb41akjvr
— ɱuรtɑpɦɑ ɦɑʝʝi 𓅓 (@desert____lion) December 19, 2022
According to the Daily Mail, 22-year-old Tchouameni and 24-year-old Kolo Muani along with Kingsley Coman (who also missed his penalty) were subject to racial abuse on social media.
It has been spotted that Tchouameni has limited the comments on his page while Kolo Muani has stopped everyone from commenting by turning off comments on his Instagram profile.
Lewis Hamilton ‘not surprised’ by the situation
Hamilton is one of those celebrity sportspeople who does not shy away from speaking his mind. He has earlier been seen to be quite outspoken regarding issues relating to LGBTQ+ rights as well as racism. The racer who drives for Mercedes in F1 has worn anti-racism shirts before the start of races.
Lewis Hamilton has blasted the “unacceptable” and “disgusting” racist abuse aimed at England footballers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka on social media, stressing the need for a “society that doesn’t require black players to prove their value only through victory.”
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 12, 2021
Hamilton also made his opinions known about fans who made racist comments towards Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho, when they missed penalties in the UEFA Euro 2020 finals against Italy. Therefore, in his latest comments, he said he was ‘not surprised’ by racist comments received by the French players. He showed his support stating Tchouameni and Kolo Muani gave their best.