Toulouse confirm Zakaria Aboukhlal will train ALONE while they investigate the striker’s alleged altercation with a French politician…just days after he REFUSED to take part in a campaign against homophobia in league ladder
Toulouse star Zakaria Aboukhlal has been forced into individual training after an investigation was opened into his alleged altercation with a local official last month.
According to French outlet RMC Sport, Aboukhlal faced politician Laurence Arribage – deputy mayor of Toulouse in charge of sport – at the end of April, after the club triumphed 5-1 in their Coupe de France final against Nantes.
Toulouse confirmed on Tuesday that they are opening an internal investigation into the altercation and that the 23-year-old striker will train alone until further notice.
“In response to the serious allegations published by RMC Sport against Toulouse Football Club player Zakaria Aboukhlal, the club has announced that the player will be training away from the professional team until further notice, pending the results of an internal investigation”, revealed the French club. .
Although Toulouse said RMC Sports that the allegations were “serious”, Arribage has since tried to play down the clash, insisting he was prompted by her to tell the players to be quiet.
Toulouse confirmed Zakaria Aboukhlal will train alone after ‘serious’ allegations
He would have clashed with Laurence Arribage, deputy mayor of Toulouse in charge of sports
“Players don’t like being told to shut up like that,” she told the French outlet.
Aboukhlal was one of the players omitted from Toulouse’s squad against Nantes last weekend, after refusing to be part of French football’s crackdown on homophobia.
In honor of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 wore rainbow colored shirts and posed with LGBTQ+ banners to show show their support in the fight against discrimination.
However, a handful of players refused to take part in the gesture, and French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera has since encouraged clubs to sanction the boycotters.
A handful of Toulouse players – including Aboukhlal – were dropped from the squad against Nantes after refusing to take part in a league-wide protest against homophobia last weekend
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera encouraged clubs to punish boycotters
Aboukhlal wrote on social media following the league-wide gesture: “Respect is a value that I hold in high regard.
“This extends to others, but it also encompasses respecting my own personal beliefs.
“Therefore, I don’t think I’m the most suitable person to take part in this campaign.”
Toulouse played a 0-0 draw with Nantes on Sunday, retaining their 13th place in Ligue 1.
