Racism in sport is not a new phenomenon. But the mass arrival of social networks has accentuated it. A new example of this scourge occurred with international player (5 caps) Hawa Cissoko, who has been playing in the Women’s Super League at London club West Ham since 2020. This Saturday, the former PSG player (2015-2017) and OM (2017-2018) was expelled a few minutes from the end of the match of the 4th day against Aston Villa.
The defender lost her temper after being restrained by Sarah Mayling. She then dealt three huge slaps with her left hand to her opponent. After Cissoko’s expulsion, the benches of each team railed against each other, leading to the expulsion of Paul Konchesky, the West Ham coach. Since the end of this meeting, the 25-year-old Franco-Malian player has been the victim of racist insults on social networks.
This Thursday, the West Ham United club spoke via a press release. “While we in no way endorse Hawa’s actions on the pitch, for which she has apologised, everyone at the club is disgusted by the hateful content of the online messages sent to her subsequently. . They were passed directly to the police and reported to the relevant social media companies, the London club say.
This kind of behavior has no place in society and we condemn it unreservedly. Hawa continues to receive the full support of all club staff, including through our Employee Assistance Program which looks after the well-being of all staff. West Ham United’s position remains unequivocal: we apply a zero tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the club, and we urge social media platforms and regulators to step up their measures to prevent this heinous behavior. »