Bayern Munich has denounced racist insults directed at defender Dayot Upamecano on social media following his red card in the team’s Champions League loss to Lazio.
Following Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Lazio in the round of 16, the French defender received numerous racist comments on his Instagram account. Upamecano was sent off for a challenge on Gustav Isaksen, which resulted in a penalty goal for Lazio.
“FC Bayern strongly condemn the racist comments being directed towards Dayot Upamecano on social media. Anyone who comments hateful words such as these is no fan of our club. We’re all behind you, Upa!” Bayern posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen raised the issue in a speech at the team hotel after the game, German agency dpa reported.
“What has particularly bothered me are the disgusting comments afterwards on social media. To that, all I can say is that it is abhorrent,” dpa quoted Dreesen as saying. “This type of racist mob, this isn’t our world. This isn’t FC Bayern. It’s something that we will not put up with.”
Upamecano was previously targeted by racist comments on social media last year after Bayern lost at Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals.