Euro 2025: FFF condemns hateful remarks targeting the French women's team after its elimination

The French Football Federation (FFF) "firmly" condemned on Wednesday, July 23, the hateful remarks targeting the French women's team since their elimination in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 by Germany (1-1, 6-5 draw).

"Nothing can justify such displays of hatred. The FFF expresses its full support for all the players concerned and reiterates its commitment to the values of respect and solidarity which are the foundation of our sport," the FFF reactedin a press release .

Following insulting comments on social media, the Federation decided "to immediately refer the matter to the national unit against online hatred in order to enable the opening of an investigation aimed at punishing criminally reprehensible behavior ."

An approach to which the UNFP, the players' union, "fully" associated itself a little later on Wednesday, judging "unacceptable the unleashing of hatred on social networks against certain players of the French women's team, each member of whom can feel targeted by attacks which combine racism, sexism and violence."

On Tuesday, goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin also denounced "hate" in a message on her Instagram account. "Since yesterday, social media has become a space for violence, racism, insults... And that is unacceptable!" she denounced. According to her, "we can be frustrated, we can be sad, we can even be angry. But never, ever should hate have a place in this sport."

These comments were supported on Wednesday by her captain Griedge Mbock on her Instagram account, deeming "unacceptable" "the different forms of insults which no longer simply affect the player and her performances, but the person" .

Since the elimination on Saturday evening, left-back Selma Bacha has been the target of particular insults on social networks. She was criticized for not having participated in the penalty shootout and for having considered immediately after the match that Germany's qualification was "not deserved" .