The outing at a press conference by Bernard Casoni, on September 21 before the Orléans-Châteauroux match, therefore leads to a preliminary investigation targeting the former French international (30 caps), now coach of the US Orléans club, currently 17th of the National. Orléans prosecutor, Emmanuelle Bochenek-Puren confirmed this Tuesday the opening of an investigation for provocation of hatred or racial discrimination, and for public insults of a racist nature.
Aged 62, the former OM defender, appointed in June as coach of US Orléans, was the subject of an article on Monday in France Blue Orléans, who notably denounced his remarks during this press conference of September 21. Asked about the squad’s adherence to his game plan, Bernard Casoni then declared to the media: “I have done it in all the clubs I have been to, I have done it with North Africans. They’re no more stupid than North Africans, eh… I mean, that’s the role of a coach. »
Training exceptionally behind closed doors this Tuesday
Following this revelation, and various episodes reported anonymously by club players, the club announced Monday evening the opening of an internal investigation, then the suspension of his coach this Tuesday noon “during the duration of the internal investigation”.
US Orléans also indicated that the professional team’s training took place behind closed doors, contrary to match eve habits. Orléans, which occupies the penultimate place in the National rankings, will play a match at Cholet on Wednesday with the usual assistants on the bench. As a coach, Bernard Casoni particularly distinguished himself around ten years ago, by bringing Evian Thonon Gaillard up in quick succession from National to Ligue 2, then from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 (between 2010 and 2012).