Ligue 1: Toulouse announces the reinstatement of Aboukhlal, who denies having made misogynistic remarks

2023-05-18 21:28:05

He assures that “the remarks reported by RMC Sport do not reflect what really happened on April 30 at the Capitol”. Moroccan striker Zakaria Aboukhlal denies having made misogynistic remarks against Laurence Arribagé, sports assistant for the city of Toulouse, during a ceremony organized in the Salle des Illustres du Capitole.

After the final of the Coupe de France won by the TFC against Nantes (5-1), the chosen one would have asked the players to make less noise during a speech. “At home, women don’t talk like that to men,” the player would then have told him.

“After the article published by RMC on Monday May 15, I had the opportunity to meet and discuss with Laurence Arribagé. During this interview, we both confirmed that the information from RMC Sport does not correspond to what really happened (…). We would like to put an end to this controversy, which has greatly affected us and our families,” reads his denial posted on social media.

The investigation is “closed”, insists the club

A version shared by the club this Thursday afternoon. “Following our internal investigation and the multiple discussions that resulted from it, a meeting between Mrs. Laurence Arribagé and our player Zakaria Aboukhlal took place in the presence of the club’s management, confirms the TFC in a press release. Following this meeting, we concluded that the facts reported by RMC Sport did not really reflect what happened on April 30 at the Capitol. Consequence: the player rejoins the group this Thursday. The investigation is “closed”, insists the club, which will “not make any further comments”.

The deputy mayor of Toulouse also communicated via social networks. “Following the RMC article, I confirm that I have spoken with the TFC player and the club, she writes. I want to turn the page on this incident which has greatly affected me and my loved ones”. She also says that “the subject is closed”, and that she will not speak further. For its part RMC Sports indicates to maintain its information.

Following the RMC article, I confirm that I have spoken with the TFC player and the club.

I want to turn the page on this incident which has greatly affected me and my loved ones.

For me the subject is closed and I will not speak any more on the subject.

Please respect my decision.

— Laurence Arribage (@LArribage) May 18, 2023

According to information from The teamZakaria Aboukhlal would like to file a complaint against RMC Sport.