Lens condemn racist abuse of Saint-Maximin after children targeted

Lens have condemned racist abuse aimed at new signing Allan Saint-Maximin after a previous incident involving the winger’s children ended his career in Mexico’s top flight. Saint-Maximin joined Lens on a six-month deal during the winter transfer window. The club said he had been at the receiving end of a “flood of hateful and racist insults” on social media and had been forced to close comment sections on certain posts.

Lens said it would “continue to take all necessary measures to make its social media platforms safe and respectful spaces for expression.” Saint-Maximin said last week his family was targeted and that protecting his children was his priority. “The problem is not the colour of skin, it’s the colour of thoughts,” he wrote, adding: “To those who dared to go after my children, let me say this: you made a mistake.” He travelled to Mexico with his wife and three children, two daughters named Lyana and Ninhia and a son named Dayde.

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