Amiens captain subjected to racist abuse in French league
PARIS (AP) — Amiens' French league game at Dijon was temporarily halted on Friday after the visiting side's captain Prince-Desir Gouano was subjected to racist insults.
The 0-0 draw was stopped for five minutes toward the end when Gouano, who is black, appeared to be targeted.
"I put the ball out of play. I heard noises - because I was close to the stand at the time - I heard monkey noises. I said to myself, well, this cannot be possible. I went over for a look and they continued," Gouano said. "I asked the referee to stop the game."
Amiens said on Twitter, "The players will restart but will stop playing if it continues. Total support to our captain Prince Gouano. Racism has no place in a football stadium."
Gouano said he wanted to take a stand against racist abuse.
"It's not just for me, but for everyone who's a victim of this. It can't continue, it has to stop," the 25-year-old defender said. "Love conquers everything. We're all one. I'm against racism."
The French league (LFP) said in a statement that it condemned the racist insults and that it was supporting Gouano.
"The disciplinary committee will receive the file. This evening, the Dijon club identified the perpetrator of the racist insults who was subsequently arrested," the LFP said.
The draw kept Amiens seven points clear of Dijon, which is third from the bottom in the relegation zone with six rounds remaining.
Anthony Limbombe scored late for Nantes to upset third-place Lyon 2-1 at home in the late game.
Lyon was five points behind Lille, which hosts runaway league leader Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.
