Husem Auar became the target of racist insults, Olympique de Lyon supports him

Olympique de Lyon (OL) went up on Wednesday March 22. In a message posted on social media, the club supported midfielder Houssem Aouar, who was targeted by racist abuse after announcing his decision to wear the colors of Algeria.

The Lyon-born and locally trained player announced his choice on Thursday, March 16. Before that, he was France’s international hope and won the cap with the A team in 2020.

Auar, who has been at the club for several months and whose contract with OL expires in June, was whistled when he came on in Friday’s Ligue 1 draw with Nantes (1-1) at the Groupama Stadium. Even then, supporters voiced it Marseillaise to mark their displeasure. Racist insults are also spread to him on social networks.

???? OL supports @HoussemAouar as well as all victims of racism and discrimination… https://t.co/DNmDjD0FBR

— OL (@Olympic Lyon)

“Football is universal”OL claimed, condemned “hate” and expresses his support “Husseum Aouar, like all victims of racism and discriminatory acts because of their origin or life choices”.

“I had a second chance and I took it”

On March 16, the 24-year-old footballer explained in a video broadcast by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) that the idea of ​​representing the Fennecs. “I’ve been in my head for too long”. He finally decided after taking time to think about it after a call from FAF chief Jahid Zefizef, who contacted him in the summer of 2022 while he was on vacation in Algeria.

“I have a big part of me that is French because I was born here and I grew up here, but I also have a big part of me that is Algerian because of my background and also how I was educated at home, quite a bit. just”he argued.

“I could not see myself doing this process because I was afraid that it would be perceived as opportunistic and the coach there. [Djamel Belmadi] and the president [de la FAF] They gave me a hand and I considered it a sign of fate, I was given a second chance and I jumped.”he added.

“This choice means a lot to me, my family, my parents, so it’s very powerful for me.he continued. It is not a default choice at all, it is simply a choice of the heart. »

His only selection for the French national team dates back to October 2020, during the match against Ukraine. A friendly meeting that allowed him to change the sports nationality according to the regulations of the International Football Federation (FIFA).