Bayern Munich condemn racist comments at Upamecano after Lazio loss

Bayern Munich’s French defender Dayot Upamecano receives a red card from French referee Francois Letexier during their UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg against Lazio at the Olympic stadium on Feb. 14, 2024 in Rome. (AFP)
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Updated 15 February 2024
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Bayern Munich condemn racist comments at Upamecano after Lazio loss

  • Numerous racist comments were left on the French defender’s Instagram account
  • Upamecano was sent off for a challenge on Gustav Isaksen

MUNICH: Bayern Munich have condemned racist comments sent to defender Dayot Upamecano on social media following his red card in the team’s Champions League loss to Lazio.
Numerous racist comments were left on the French defender’s Instagram account after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Lazio in the round of 16.
Upamecano was sent off for a challenge on Gustav Isaksen which led to a goal from the penalty spot for Lazio.
“FC Bayern strongly condemn the racist comments being directed toward 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.


Jordan make history as they reach Arab Cup final for first time with narrow victory over Saudi Arabia

Updated 15 December 2025
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Jordan make history as they reach Arab Cup final for first time with narrow victory over Saudi Arabia

  • Green Falcons left to rue squandered chances as they miss out on what would have been their first final appearance in the competition since 2002
  • Semi-final victory comes during a stellar year for Jordan in which they also qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever

DOHA: A header by Nizar Al-Rashdan gave Jordan a 1-0 victory in a tense match against Saudi Arabia on Monday and sent them to their first Arab Cup final.

Deprived of the services of Yazan Al-Naimat, who suffered a devastating knee injury in their quarter-final against Iraq, Jordan delivered a brave performance, greatly limiting the Saudi attacking threat across the 90 minutes.

The semi-final at Al-Bayt Stadium in Qatar attracted the highest attendance of the tournament so far, a vibrant crowd of 62,825. Both sides began cautiously, with Jordan lining up in a robust 5-4-1 formation that sought to restrict Salem Al-Dawsari and Saleh Abou Al-Shamat in the final third.

The game opened up a little after the break, as a tactical change from Jordan helped them gain greater control on the counterattack. Mohammed Abu Zrayq in particular proved influential down the right flank as he stretched the Saudi defense and gave the Nashama more attacking momentum.

The decisive moment, however, came from the opposite side. Mahmoud Al-Mardi delivered a dipping cross from the left, catching the Green Falcons’ defense off guard, and Al-Rashdan rose to head home the only goal of the match in the 66th minute.

Saudi Arabia responded with a series of substitutions, including the introduction of Al-Qadsiah midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr. The former Al-Hilal player helped link play between Al-Dawsari and Feras Al-Brikan down the left channel as the Saudis pressed for the equalizer.

Al-Brikan and then Saleh Al-Shehri both went close but Yazeed Abulaila stood firm in goal, producing a crucial save just minutes after Jordan took the lead.

The match ended on a particularly sour note for Saudi Arabia when last man Waleed Al-Ahmed was shown a straight red card in the closing moments after bringing down an opponent to halt a counterattack, as Jordan saw out their historic victory.

They now face Morocco, who earlier in the day defeated the UAE 3-0, in the final on Thursday.