Ivory Coast Football Federation condemns racist attacks on Nicolas Pépé

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) speaks out strongly in support of Nicolas Pépé following a wave of racist attacks against the international forward.

The governing body condemns the harassment and emphasizes that hateful online comments have no justification.

The statement, published Wednesday on the federation’s Instagram account, comes two days after Pépé publicly clarified his controversial remarks.

FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo and the Executive Committee express “strongest possible condemnation” of the insults and racial abuse directed at the player.

The federation stresses that no misunderstanding can excuse such behaviour, especially as Pépé had already issued an apology in a spirit of reconciliation.

The controversy began when Pépé appeared in a video with Algerian influencer Just Riyadh.

In the clip, he joked about Morocco’s record at the Africa Cup of Nations, comparing it to Algeria and humorously referencing historical achievements.

The lighthearted comments immediately triggered a backlash on social media, where Pépé’s Instagram account was flooded with derogatory messages and insulting emojis.

Following the incident, the forward attempted to clarify his words and apologize, aiming to calm the situation.

Yet the fallout continued. Pépé was subsequently left out of the Ivory Coast squad for AFCON 2025, sparking outrage and prompting him to describe the decision as a “double punishment.”

His sister criticized the national team and, indirectly, coach Emerse Faé, highlighting the personal toll on the family.

The FIF’s statement underlines its stance against racism in football and its commitment to protecting players from online abuse.

While the federation cannot reverse the exclusion from the squad, it signals a clear position: harassment and racial insults have no place in the sport.

As AFCON 2025 approaches in Morocco from December 21 to January 18, FIF hopes to focus attention on football and unity, condemning any actions that distract from the competition or harm players personally.

The support for Pépé marks an important step in addressing racism within the Ivorian football community.