These are the kinds of things that are hard to see in 2023. This Saturday, the match between Le Portel (Hauts-de-France) and Roanne (Loire) in Pro A basketball was called out because of the ” blackface” produced by three local supporters, and whose Roanne pivot Yannis Morin was indignant in a tweet after the match. A new episode of racism in French basketball in a few weeks, after that involving Loïc Akono in National 2, in January.
“During my match against ESSM Le Portel, I had the misfortune to see 3 men on the edge of the field, he shared. Black paint Red lipstick Frizzy hair wigs Traditional West Indian clothing. At what time in 2023 can we tolerate this type of disguise. »
Despite the context of the carnival, the pill has not passed. In a press conference after the match, Maxime Roos also expressed his indignation: “Having people disguise themselves as black people is no longer possible. It never was, but it’s even less so today. It’s impossible to see that, it’s impossible for the Portel players to condone that and it’s impossible for the Portel management to condone that! »
Misunderstanding on the Portel side
In a tweet in response to Morin, the ESSM believes that “the tribute paid by our supporters to our former assistant coach Jacky Périgois”, former assistant coach of the club who left to live in Martinique at the end of 2022, “was misinterpreted “. And advance the tradition: “Congratulations to this beautiful team from Roanne for their victory and thank you to our grimé supporters for this beautiful traditional Porteloise party! “, punctuates the club in its message. Its president Yann Rivoal, interviewed by France Bleu Nord, was in the same spirit: “I do not understand the reaction of this player, who is the only one to be offended by the way, there is nothing to whip a cat “.
The LNB did not take it so lightly. While its president Alain Béral announced this Sunday on RTL that the body was going to take up the case, it was already reacting on Twitter, shortly after the events: “The LNB took note of the events that took place in the stands during the match Le Portel vs Roanne. The Steering Committee will meet on March 8 in order to decide on the follow-up to be given and on the possibility of seizing the Legal Commission for Discipline and Regulations of the LNB. It is this commission that will be able to decide on possible sanctions.