In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across the global football community, an Ivory Coast footballer, Dairrassouba Hassane Junior, was subjected to a mob attack and racial slurs during a match in Kerala’s Malappuram district. The incident took place on March 10, during a five-a-side football match near Areekode.
Ivory Coast footballer Hassane Junior files a complaint
Diarrassouba Hassane Junior, who was hired by the football club Jawahar Mavoor to play sevens football, a variation of the game with seven players on each side, lodged a complaint with the local police. In his complaint, he stated that a group of fans racially abused him and pelted stones at him. He was called racial slurs like ‘African monkey’ and ‘black cat’, and stones were hurled at him.
“Those people who threw stones at me were saying f**k African monkey, black cat… My race and I have been insulted. I was attacked because of the colour of my skin.”
A footballer from Ivory Coast has alleged that he was subjected to a mob attack and racial slurs at a football… pic.twitter.com/W554WqM7bp
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) March 13, 2024
The incident occurred when his team was leading by a goal and he went to take the corner kick. The spectators started screaming at him, and two more stones were hurled at him. To save his life, he had to run away from the ground. The supporters of the opposite team chased him and hit him brutally. He was saved when the supporters of his team intervened and stopped them.
Hassane Junior stated in his complaint that the incident hurt him mentally. He said, “I was attacked because of the colour of my skin, my race and I have been insulted”. He has submitted video footage of the conflict along with his complaint. The Areekode police have recorded his statement for further action.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of foreign players in Indian football. Players from African countries are a major attraction in sevens tournaments in Malappuram and other northern districts of Kerala. These players are hired by local football clubs to play in tournaments that are held from November to May in front of packed crowds and makeshift galleries.
The racial abuse and mob attack on Hassane Junior is a stark reminder of the deep-seated racial prejudices that still exist in our society. It is a disgrace to the spirit of sportsmanship and the fraternity of football. It is a wake-up call for the authorities to take stringent measures to ensure the safety and dignity of all players, irrespective of their race or nationality.
Also Read: HS Prannoy qualifies for the Paris Olympics
