The 29-year-old athlete has been accused of writing and sharing hateful messages, which led him to apologize on his online platforms.
The president of the French Athletics Federation suspends Muhammad Abdallah Kounta
The president of the French Athletics Federation confirmed that Muhammad Abdallah Kounta, a 29-year-old athlete who participated in the men’s and mixed 4x400m relays at the Paris Olympics, has been suspended. This suspension follows tweets posted by the athlete inciting hatred, which prompted a reaction from the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
A user posted screenshots of messages attributed to Muhammad Abdallah Kounta, messages that have since been deleted. These posts convey remarks targeting Israel, deemed “unacceptable” by the regional councillor of Île-de-France, Patrick Karam, who is calling for severe sanctions.
“Statements as shocking as they are unacceptable”
The Minister of Sports described the athlete’s statements as “shocking and unacceptable.” She stated that the public prosecutor as well as the Federation’s Disciplinary Committee have been notified. On social media, Muhammad Abdallah Kounta apologized if his words have offended certain individuals.
The athlete stated that some of his tweets were taken out of context and he regrets that this has contributed to creating a reputation for him as anti-white, anti-France, and antisemitic. He affirmed his stance against genocides and any form of racism or injustice, emphasizing his love for his country and inviting those present at the Stade de France to attest to it.
Source: Francetvinfo
Pascal Petibon, born in 1980 in Lyon, is a renowned journalist and author, passionate about information and communication. After earning a degree in journalism from the University of Paris, he quickly joined various editorial teams, where he became known for his sharp analysis and clear writing style.
