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Chancel Mbemba, the captain of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), faced a barrage of racial abuse on social media after leading his team to a 1-1 draw against Morocco in the FIFA World Cup Africa of Nations on Sunday.
Many users have targeted Mbemba’s Instagram account, responding to his most recent images with monkey or gorilla emojis or leaving racist comments.
Following the match, the Olympique de Marseille player had a heated argument with Moroccan coach Walid Regragui. This resulted in a confrontation between players and officials from both sides, which spread off the pitch and into the players’ tunnel.
Regragui searched for Mbemba after the contest while he was on his knees. Mbemba clasped Regragui’s hand and patted his back, as if it were a friendly exchange. But Regragui held Mbemba’s hand and continued to speak. Before players from both teams intervened, the player angrily retracted his hand and motioned to the video referee.
Mbemba suggested to journalists after the match in San Pedro that Regragui had insulted him. “I keep silent, it’s better. Everyone knows me, I respect everyone… but I never thought I would hear these words from the coach’s mouth,” Mbemba said.
