The French rider of the Arkea-Samsic team Nacer Bouhanni, here on the right, will file a complaint after being subjected to racist remarks. – Bas Czerwinski / AFP
He announced his intention to file a complaint. Tired of being harassed on social networks and a victim of racist insults, the French runner Nacer Bouhanni will file a complaint. Since March 28 and his downgrading for the sprint of the Cholet-Pays de Loire race on March 28, the former champion of France has been the victim of a smear campaign. That day, the runner had crushed against the barriers the Briton Jake Stewart, who had his right hand fractured in the accident and violently took him to task on social networks. Nacer Bouhanni had apologized, but that had not calmed some Internet users.
“Hello to all the little jokers who have been having fun for a week writing to me personally or commenting on certain cycling sites that I should return to Africa, that I am a criminal, that I am a Maghrebi who needs being interned and who constantly send me (pig’s heads)! », Declared the Lorrain on his Instagram account. “Know that I was born in France and that I am going to lodge a complaint because it has been a long time since I endure it and keep silent but, this time, I will not let pass”, affirmed Bouhanni, French of Algerian descent.
“Total support” from his team
To back up his point, the sprinter from the Arkea-Samsic team provided an accompaniment to several messages received, in different languages. His team confirmed the intention to file a complaint and “fully support” his rider.
For being deported during the sprint, the Frenchman incurs a sanction from the International Cycling Union (UCI) which seized its disciplinary commission and “strongly condemned the dangerous driving” of Bouhanni. The day after the race, the runner apologized.
“My mistake was to change course to take his wheel. I don’t see Jake Stewart at this time. When we come into contact with each other, I find myself unbalanced and catch up with myself as best I can so as not to fall, ”Bouhanni explained, stressing:“ In no case was it intentional ”.