On Tuesday, the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) announced that it was opening a “disciplinary file immediately after being informed of the comments that would have been made to Mr. Loïc Akono”.
On Sunday, the former Nanterre player, who now wears the Metz jersey, had been the target of racist insults uttered by a spectator in Charleville-Mézières.
"Get up bonobo" he had launched during a match of National 2, the 4th hexagonal level.
Akono had received many messages of support, solidarity and outrage from the sports world.
📢 the Disciplinary Committee 🏀, pronounced the total closed session of the National Men's 2 matches which will take place in Charleville-Mézières.
more info 👉https://t.co/WwjaIR7juf pic.twitter.com/zSPawkkR5d
– FFBB (@ffbasketball) February 2, 2023
This Thursday, the FFBB decided to impose behind closed doors for Charleville's home games.
In a press release, the body announced that "on the decision of its disciplinary committee", it "declared the total closed session of the matches of National Masculine 2 which will take place in Charleville-Mézières, following the racist remarks which would have were sent to Mr. Loïc Akono during the meeting last weekend.
This measure, taken as a precaution, "runs until notification of the decision", continues the federal press release.
However, it does not concern the team's away matches.
A text condemning any racist remarks read before each match
The Federation has also decided "that a text strongly condemning any racist remarks will be read aloud before each official basketball match, LFB (
the Women's League championship
) and LNB (
the men's professional championships of Betclic Elite and Pro B
) included, during the entire month of February".
In addition, the player told us at the start of the week that he was going to file a complaint.
Article L332-6 of the sports code provides for a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 15,000 euros.
As for article L332-1, it provides for up to five years of stadium ban.
The Charleville-Mézières prosecutor's office had not waited for the player's decision and had opened a preliminary investigation at the start of the week by the head of incitement to hatred during a sporting event.